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
Beginning with European imperialism in the late 18th century and technically concluding with Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon, this series is a great survey for those looking to understand Iran in regional context.
—
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Mar. 2026
Soviet satire and humor journals, for example, ridiculed Western imperialism.
—Neringa Klumbytė, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Guilt for European imperialism in the 19th and 20th centuries should not become the permission structure for new forms of imperialism.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
Objects like dominos and leaves, which figure into the history of Caribbean imperialism, are fashioned from steel and wood.
—Evan Nicole Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imperialism
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Mar. 2026
Soviet satire and humor journals, for example, ridiculed Western imperialism.
—Neringa Klumbytė, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Guilt for European imperialism in the 19th and 20th centuries should not become the permission structure for new forms of imperialism.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
Objects like dominos and leaves, which figure into the history of Caribbean imperialism, are fashioned from steel and wood.
—Evan Nicole Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imperialism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperialism
Noun
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Iran war has entered its fifth week with hostilities escalating across the region.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
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After all, a bit more than a decade later, hostilities would explode anew in the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, during which Nasser shut the canal again.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Kyiv fears that Moscow could use that territory as a launchpad for further aggression.—
Volodymyr Yurchuk,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
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Unfortunately, the quality of the program was low and resulted in rising aggression and behavior issues among children, especially boys, and hurt parental relationships.—
Abby McCloskey,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Left means more skeptical of militarism, more secular.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
31 Dec. 2025
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If Japan seeks to go back to the path of militarism, violate its commitment to peaceful development and disrupt the postwar international order, the Chinese people will not allow it, and the international community will not allow it.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Tapping into national pride — dare say jingoism — might have done the trick.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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The positive feelings people have toward their community translate directly into civic engagement, without the risk of increasing negative feelings such as jingoism or xenophobia.—
Sean Richey,
The Conversation,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Colorado’s aggressiveness with trading away draft picks and prospects to help the NHL club’s pursuit of a Stanley Cup has often left the organization’s pipeline thin, but also provides opportunities for undrafted players like Logan O’Connor and Sam Malinski to earn chances and thrive.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Frost have played well with aggressiveness and their speed on the ice all season.—
Theodore Tollefson,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imperialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperialism. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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