neo-imperialism

A form of neoimperialism — A contemporary form of imperialism; modern imperialistic practices by a country, such as using influence and power to dominate smaller countries.

Meanings

nounneo-imperialism (usually uncountable, plural neo-imperialisms)

plural neo-imperialisms

  1. alternativeuncountableusuallyAlternative form of neoimperialism.

    In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Western powers put aside the indirect forms of neo-imperialism and opted for direct colonialism.

    2000, Michael Parenti, “Bosnia: New Colonies”, in To Kill a Nation: The Attack on Yugoslavia, London: Verso Books, →ISBN, page 57
    3 more examples

    [T]he Turkish Government should from now on recognize and act upon the assumption that Russian neo-imperialism is a definite threat to the safety and independence of Turkey.

    1939 November 9 (date written), J. V. A. MacMurray, “Activities of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe, and Soviet Relations with the Belligerent Powers: III. Activities of the Soviet Union in the Balkans; the Seizure of Bessarabia: The Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) to President [Franklin Delano] Roosevelt”, in Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers: 1940 […] (Department of State Publication; 6818), volume I (General), Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, published 1959, →OCLC, page 450

    In his 1958 autobiography, he [Edgar Snow] described Marxism as a 'heretical' descendant of Western Judeo-Christianity that was an imperfect fit as an ideology for anti-colonial revolutions in Asia. The old empires were crumbling but were being replaced by neo-imperialisms.

    2023, John Sexton, “Red Star and Paper Tiger”, in Red Friends: Internationalists in China’s Struggle for Liberation, London; Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.: Verso, →ISBN, page 150

    To survive Russia's neo-imperialism, Europe's democracies must find a balance between their desire for peace and their own defence[.]

    2023 October 17, Volodymyr Yermolenko, “Europe seeks peace, not war. But will it be ready if war comes to Europe?”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 16 Feb 2024
Cite this entry
APA

neo-imperialism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/neo-imperialism

MLA

“neo-imperialism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/neo-imperialism. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “neo-imperialism,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/neo-imperialism.

Source: neo-imperialism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.