as in dominion
controlling power or influence over others
a nation whose economic imperium waned after the war
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Recent Examples of imperium
As such, the Russian approach differs strikingly from China’s far more comprehensive and long-term strategy, which aims at building a worldwide imperium and whose economic interests in Africa dwarf Russia’s by a measure of almost ten to one.
—
Stephen Smith, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2022
But our failure to anticipate this most recent spark of dissent is perhaps more understandable; after all, as Xi’s one-party Leninist imperium has gathered momentum, most foreign journalists have been expelled from China.
—Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2022
At a time when Russia, weakened by its Ukrainian misadventure, risks becoming a satellite state of a rising Chinese imperium, reliance on Russia makes even less sense in the future.
—Shashi Tharoor, Foreign Affairs, 27 Apr. 2022
Even the Commonwealth—long a convenient way to sustain a more symbolic form of cultural imperium—has lost much of its meaning.
—Fintan O’Toole, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2023
Playing that particular Neil Young tune to represent the American imperium was an insidious selection.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 May 2024
Poland, through a protest movement, led the liberation of Europe from the Soviet imperium, culminating with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 5 May 2024
But Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s extraordinary new demands and threats, following his military buildup on the borders of Ukraine, has brought NATO back to basics — containing Russian power and imperium.
—New York Times, 14 Jan. 2022
But unlike the familiar realm of the Caesars, this imperium doesn’t govern only humans: Talking beasts also live as citizens in the empire.
—Liz Braswell, WSJ, 29 Sep. 2023
Stephen Smith, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2022
But our failure to anticipate this most recent spark of dissent is perhaps more understandable; after all, as Xi’s one-party Leninist imperium has gathered momentum, most foreign journalists have been expelled from China.
—Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2022
At a time when Russia, weakened by its Ukrainian misadventure, risks becoming a satellite state of a rising Chinese imperium, reliance on Russia makes even less sense in the future.
—Shashi Tharoor, Foreign Affairs, 27 Apr. 2022
Even the Commonwealth—long a convenient way to sustain a more symbolic form of cultural imperium—has lost much of its meaning.
—Fintan O’Toole, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2023
Playing that particular Neil Young tune to represent the American imperium was an insidious selection.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 May 2024
Poland, through a protest movement, led the liberation of Europe from the Soviet imperium, culminating with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 5 May 2024
But Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s extraordinary new demands and threats, following his military buildup on the borders of Ukraine, has brought NATO back to basics — containing Russian power and imperium.
—New York Times, 14 Jan. 2022
But unlike the familiar realm of the Caesars, this imperium doesn’t govern only humans: Talking beasts also live as citizens in the empire.
—Liz Braswell, WSJ, 29 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperium
Noun
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Historically, imperialist leaders have used military conquest, economic coercion or diplomatic pressure to expand their dominions, and justified their foreign incursions as civilizing missions, economic opportunities or national security imperatives.—
Monica Duffy Toft,
The Conversation,
20 Feb. 2025
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Kanye West goes on another antisemitic rant, defends Diddy, declares ‘dominion’ over wife.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Jony and Line compete like gang members for affection and domination against bawdy Jane (Anamaria Vartolomei) and Rudy (Julien Manier), who wield laser swords and decapitate their enemies.—
Armond White,
National Review,
14 Mar. 2025
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Their arrival back on the big stage coincided with the beginning of City’s era of domination in their second year under Pep Guardiola.—
Andy Naylor,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As Trump’s administration aggressively restructures federal agencies, these changes will likely proceed without public input, further entrenching private sector dominance.—
Nathan Meyers,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
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The focus is more on individual needs than relationship-building (e.g., asserting dominance, avoiding deep engagement).—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And at the heart of this loss of freedom is a fundamental misunderstanding—or even a deliberate abandonment—of what sovereignty really means in America.—
Nisha Whitehead,
Orange County Register,
16 Mar. 2025
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After all, Trump is not openly attacking British or French sovereignty.—
Stephen Collinson,
CNN,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Soto didn’t have the same affinity for the Yankees as Judge, and now the two will battle for supremacy of the city.—
Chris Kirschner,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
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In a surprise move, China — long criticized for its human rights record — signed the declaration, further widening the distance between America and the rest in the tussle for AI supremacy.—
Aamer Madhani,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imperium.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperium. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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