# imperialist

/ˌɪmˈpɪɹiəɫɪst/ (US) · /ɪmpˈiəɹɪəlˌɪst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/imperialist
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a supporter of empire

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

a person who believes their country should take control of other countries to gain power and wealth.

For teachers: an advocate or practitioner of imperialism; one who supports the policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony.

- The protesters marched against the imperialist who wanted to expand the colony.
- Historians often debate whether the minister was a true imperialist or simply a pragmatist seeking to secure trade routes for the merchant navy.

Usage: Often used pejoratively in modern political discourse to criticise foreign intervention.

### 2. relating to imperialism

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

describing a policy or action where a powerful country tries to control others.

For teachers: relating to, or characteristic of imperialism or imperialists; often used to describe foreign policies perceived as exploitative or expansionist.

- Many people criticised the country's imperialist goals in the region.
- The treaty was seen by local leaders as an imperialist tool designed to extract natural resources without providing fair compensation.

### 3. historical Japanese official

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

a person who worked for the Empire of Japan in the past.

For teachers: an agent, official, or soldier acting on behalf of the Empire of Japan, particularly during the early to mid-20th century.

- The old documents mentioned an imperialist who managed the local port.
- The memoir details the complex relationship between the local population and the imperialist administrators during the occupation period.

Usage: This specific historical sense is rarely used outside of academic texts concerning East Asian history.

## Examples

- The imperialist argued for expanding the nation's borders.
- During the late 19th century, many European imperialists believed it was their duty to establish colonies across the African continent.
- Historians often distinguish between the economic imperialist, who seeks market dominance, and the political imperialist, whose primary objective is the direct administration of foreign territories.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.