Imperialist
ɪmˈpɪəriəlɪst
Definitions
2 meaningsA person who advocates or supports imperialism, the policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
ɪmˈpɪəriəlɪst
A person who supports or practices imperialism.
The imperialists believed in expanding their empire through conquest.
💡 Simply: Imagine a country that wants to control other countries, maybe to take their resources or make them follow its rules. An imperialist is someone who thinks this is a good idea and supports it.
👶 For kids: Someone who wants their country to rule over other countries.
More Examples
Critics of the policy labeled the leaders as imperialists.
The book explored the lives of key imperialists during the colonial era.
How It's Used
"Historians often analyze the actions of imperialists during colonial periods."
"The writings of the imperialists offer insights into the motivations behind expansionist policies."
Supporting or related to the policy of imperialism.
ɪmˈpɪəriəlɪst
Supporting or relating to imperialism.
The government pursued an imperialist foreign policy.
💡 Simply: If something is described as 'imperialist,' it means it's about trying to build a big empire and control other countries.
👶 For kids: Something that is about wanting one country to rule over others.
More Examples
The article criticized the imperialist tendencies of the ruling party.
The war was seen as an imperialist endeavor.
How It's Used
"The country's imperialist ambitions led to several conflicts."
"The historian analyzed the imperialist policies of the British Empire."
Idioms & expressions
Imperialist power
A nation or state that practices imperialism.
"Great Britain was once considered the greatest imperialist power."
From French impérialiste, from Latin imperialis ('of the empire'). The term gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to describe those who supported or practiced imperialism.
The term 'imperialist' and 'imperialism' gained significant traction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to the rise of European colonial empires and the resulting global conflicts.
Memory tip
Think of the 'imperial' power, and the person who believes in it is the 'imperialist'.