domino theory
noun
1
: a theory that if one nation becomes Communist-controlled the neighboring nations will also become Communist-controlled
2
: the theory that if one act or event is allowed to take place a series of similar acts or events will follow
Examples of domino theory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
My father believed in the domino theory, how a cascade of Communism might deluge Asia.
—
Hannah Beech, New York Times, 1 May 2025
This shock heightened Cold War fears of communist expansion and solidified the domino theory: the idea that if one state falls to communism, its neighbors will, too.
—Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
The logic of the domino theory took on particular urgency in the early 1980s, after the collapse of the corrupt and brutal Somoza dynasty in Nicaragua and the coming to power of a Marxist-Leninist government—the Sandinistas, who in turn supported leftist guerrillas in neighboring El Salvador.
—TIME, 9 Aug. 2024
In this brief study, a Latin American specialist presents an excellent detailed exposition of Cuban troop movements in Africa, Cuban diplomatic activity there, relations…
Oligarchs and Officers: The Crisis in El Salvador
Not since Vietnam has the domino theory enjoyed such currency in Washington.
—William M. Leogrande, Foreign Affairs, 23 July 2024
The Vietnam war discredited domino theories, e.g., if Ukraine falls, President Putin will invade and conquer all of Europe and maybe even the United States.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2024
Two of the key theories underpinning the decision to invade—forcible democracy promotion and the domino theory—had been discredited before 2003.
—Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
There is no objective reason why decisions guided by domino theory are irrational and Putin’s attack on Ukraine is not.
—Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
The domino theory had the Big 12 being one of the beneficiaries of a Pac-12 implosion.
—Dallas News, 19 Jan. 2023
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Hannah Beech, New York Times, 1 May 2025
This shock heightened Cold War fears of communist expansion and solidified the domino theory: the idea that if one state falls to communism, its neighbors will, too.
—Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
The logic of the domino theory took on particular urgency in the early 1980s, after the collapse of the corrupt and brutal Somoza dynasty in Nicaragua and the coming to power of a Marxist-Leninist government—the Sandinistas, who in turn supported leftist guerrillas in neighboring El Salvador.
—TIME, 9 Aug. 2024
In this brief study, a Latin American specialist presents an excellent detailed exposition of Cuban troop movements in Africa, Cuban diplomatic activity there, relations…
Oligarchs and Officers: The Crisis in El Salvador
Not since Vietnam has the domino theory enjoyed such currency in Washington.
—William M. Leogrande, Foreign Affairs, 23 July 2024
The Vietnam war discredited domino theories, e.g., if Ukraine falls, President Putin will invade and conquer all of Europe and maybe even the United States.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2024
Two of the key theories underpinning the decision to invade—forcible democracy promotion and the domino theory—had been discredited before 2003.
—Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
There is no objective reason why decisions guided by domino theory are irrational and Putin’s attack on Ukraine is not.
—Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
The domino theory had the Big 12 being one of the beneficiaries of a Pac-12 implosion.
—Dallas News, 19 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Domino theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domino%20theory. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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