noun · academic
imperialism
UK/ɪmˈpɪəriəlɪz(ə)m/US/ɪmˈpɪriəlɪzəm/im·PER·i·al·ism
A policy or practice by which a state extends its power and influence over other countries, often by direct territorial acquisition or by exerting control.
Examples
“The 19th-century scramble for Africa is a classic example of European imperialism.”
“Modern critics describe some forms of economic dominance as a new imperialism.”
“Students study how imperialism shaped borders and institutions in former colonies.”
Band 8 sentence
“Contemporary debates examine whether cultural influence and multinational corporations represent a subtler form of imperialism.”
Collocations
- age of imperialism
- imperialist powers
- economic imperialism
Word family
Common mistakes
colonialism and imperialism are the same→colonialism and imperialism overlap but are not identical
an imperialism→imperialism
Say it for a higher band
5taking over colonies→6empire-building→7+imperialism
Synonyms
expansionism
Easily confused
colonialism
“Colonialism involved settling people from the colonising country in the new territory.”
Related words
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In -ism
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