anti-imperialism

noun

an·​ti-im·​pe·​ri·​al·​ism ˌan-tē-im-ˈpir-ē-ə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce anti-imperialism (audio) ˌan-tī- How to pronounce anti-imperialism (audio)
Synonyms of anti-imperialismnext
: opposition to or hostility toward imperialism
… he campaigned on a platform of anti-imperialismT. E. Vedney
anti-imperialist
ˌan-tē-im-ˈpir-ē-ə-list
ˌan-tī- How to pronounce anti-imperialism (audio)
adjective
Carnegie wasted no time making public his anti-imperialist sentiments. David Nasaw
anti-imperialist noun
He gravely damaged his reputation among pacifists and anti-imperialists by his attack on Egypt in 1882 … Geoffrey Wheatcrof

Examples of anti-imperialism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Venezuela’s socialist revolution was built on a number of principles – including anti-imperialism. Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 11 May 2026 Imperialism and democratic socialism One of Orwell’s earliest and most enduring political commitments was anti-imperialism – opposition to extending national power by means of colonialization or military force. Mark Satta, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025 Newton’s philosophy blended Marxist theory, Black nationalism and anti-imperialism into a unique vision for liberation. Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 The third principle is anti-imperialism, which emerged as a pillar of leftist and progressive thought in the late nineteenth century as a reaction against European empire building. Jonathan B. Petkun, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024 Although Garza’s rebellion was crushed, his ideas of democracy, equity, freedom of the press, and anti-imperialism would find new life in 1910 when another cross-border revolution led by Francisco Madero succeeded in toppling Díaz. TIME, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anti-imperialism was in 1861

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anti-imperialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-imperialism. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on anti-imperialism

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster