interventionism

noun

in·​ter·​ven·​tion·​ism ˌin-tər-ˈven(t)-shə-ˌni-zəm 

: the theory or practice of intervening

specifically : governmental interference in economic affairs at home or in political affairs of another country

interventionist

ˌin-tər-ˈven(t)-shə-nist 

-ˈvench-nist

noun or adjective

Examples of interventionism in a Sentence

a proponent of aggressive economic interventionism

Recent Examples on the Web

For Americans, this isn’t about empire or interventionism. —Dustin Olson, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026

Since the end of the Second World War, the United States and its allies had maintained a system of humanitarian interventionism, until the President so delightedly detonated it. —Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026

And governments abroad accustomed to Trump’s lack of predictability now face a president whose entire philosophy toward foreign interventionism appears to have turned on a dime. —Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026

This claim — and the American military intervention in Venezuela this weekend — has outraged some in neighboring Colombia, particularly those on the left, who warn of American interventionism and regional hegemony. —Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for interventionism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anabolism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism