imperialistic
imperialistic Lexical Profile
imperialistic Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to, characteristic of, or practicing imperialism; supporting the extension of a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by establishing economic and political dominance over other nations.
"Historians analyzed how the nineteenth-century treaty reflected the imperialistic ambitions of the European powers."
Domineering, overbearing, or seeking to impose one's control, culture, or values onto others.
"Critics argued that the conglomerate's aggressive takeover of small local businesses was an imperialistic move to monopolize the market."
Word Nuance & Usage
While "imperial" is a neutral term describing anything relating to an empire or emperor, "imperialistic" almost always carries a critical or pejorative connotation, referring specifically to the aggressive expansion or imposition of power over others.
• Rhymes for imperialistic
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 19th century from "imperialist" plus the suffix "-ic", ultimately tracing back to the Latin "imperium" (command, authority, empire), from "imperare" (to command).