as in hostility
tendency to extend power or control over others especially through the use of force
Violent conquer of other nations is one extreme form of imperialism.
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Recent Examples of imperialism
Instead, the ideologues of Russian imperialism have turned to random musings and belligerent hate speech, which seems intended to confuse rather than convince.
—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
In a country like India, subjugated early in the history of capitalist imperialism, and then bullied after independence by the West, a degree of self-renunciation and collective sacrifice was widely understood to be requisite to economic and political self-strengthening.
—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Kim, who took power in 1946, reframed Christianity as a symptom of American imperialism and repurposed its rituals with himself at the center, instituting requirements for ideological activities and imposing harsh punishments on those who failed to show sufficient devotion.
—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
This week’s special legislative session reeks of imperialism.
—
Letters To The Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for imperialism
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
In a country like India, subjugated early in the history of capitalist imperialism, and then bullied after independence by the West, a degree of self-renunciation and collective sacrifice was widely understood to be requisite to economic and political self-strengthening.
—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Kim, who took power in 1946, reframed Christianity as a symptom of American imperialism and repurposed its rituals with himself at the center, instituting requirements for ideological activities and imposing harsh punishments on those who failed to show sufficient devotion.
—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
This week’s special legislative session reeks of imperialism.
—
Letters To The Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for imperialism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperialism
Noun
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Engelbert has consistently mismanaged the overt physical hostility directed at the league's biggest star.
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Today, however, some experts suggest that explicit displays of racial hostility have become more visible in public spaces.
Noun
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Ukraine has every right to attack Russia’s military infrastructure that sustains its aggression.
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Issues could include insomnia, aggression, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to psychotropic medication and exacerbation of existing mental illness -- like anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.
Noun
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Germany, Austria, and other countries turn to protectionism, xenophobia, militarism.
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Today, supposedly sophisticated moderns have laundered Moloch’s dark faith into militarism, imperialism, and capitalism.
Noun
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This was an era of over-the-top displays of patriotism and even jingoism; the phrase Let’s make America great again was in.
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Tapping into national pride — dare say jingoism — might have done the trick.
Noun
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Dillon Thieneman’s speed Since draft night in April, Thieneman has been lauded for his combination of speed, instincts and aggressiveness.
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This is a lineup structured to thrive with a small-ball approach — high batting average, chaos and aggressiveness on the basepaths, and manufacturing runs.
Cite this Entry
“Imperialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperialism. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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