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

Most Latin American countries do not currently see Beijing as a threat to their economies, their democratic systems, or the security of their citizens, but as a source of investment, infrastructure, and export markets unencumbered by the historical baggage of U.S. interventionism. —Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025

What critics of interventionism have historically sought is prudence in foreign affairs—avoiding unnecessary wars while ensuring the protection of core national interests. —Andrew Latham, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2025

As the historian Robert Kagan points out, America oscillates between periods of isolationism and interventionism. —David Brooks, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025

This level of interventionism, much like the eurobonds, was something Germany had long balked at. —Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023

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