expansionism

[ ik-span-shuh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. a policy of expansion, as of territory or currency:

   the colonial expansionism of Europe in the 19th century.

expansionism

/ ɪkˈspænʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the doctrine or practice of expanding the economy or territory of a country

Derived Forms

• exˈpansionist, nounadjective
• exˌpansionˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·pansion·ist noun adjective
• ex·pansion·istic adjective
• anti·ex·pansion·ism noun
• anti·ex·pansion·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expansionism¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; expansion + -ism

Example Sentences

India is a fellow democracy, and, like Japan, feels acutely vulnerable to Chinese territorial and economic expansionism.

From The Daily Beast

Haters back then called it “mosque madness” and “Islamic domination and expansionism.”

From The Daily Beast

It is vital to our credibility in the entire Middle East that we insist on an end to Israeli expansionism.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• imperialism