interventionism

noun

in·​ter·​ven·​tion·​ism ˌin-tər-ˈven(t)-shə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce interventionism (audio)
: the theory or practice of intervening
specifically : governmental interference in economic affairs at home or in political affairs of another country
interventionist noun or adjective

Examples of interventionism in a Sentence

a proponent of aggressive economic interventionism
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.
But many Americans tired of the United States serving as the world’s police force—and old-school conservatives and even some libertarians and progressives viewed Trump’s election as a victory for less interventionism. Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025 This backward-spooling collapse into strongman interventionism is the result of Congress’s baseline failure to shield its own constitutional powers. Chris Lehmann, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 Carter’s reckoning with Soviet interventionism spurred a late-term military buildup, too—a policy Brzezinski had consistently pushed as a means to counterbalance the Soviet Union, and a contribution Luce acknowledges but underemphasizes. Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025 The theme of liberal interventionism which had been painstakingly established is shrugged off as no problem. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for interventionism

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interventionism was in 1923

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interventionism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interventionism. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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