hegemon

noun

heg·​e·​mon ˈhe-jə-ˌmän How to pronounce hegemon (audio)
ˈhē-
: something (such as a political state) having dominant influence or authority over others : one possessing hegemony
These were the periods in which England and then America filled the role of hegemon …—Robert Heilbroner
The American self-image of a mighty power that is also a benign hegemon, the global custodian of democratic values and human rights, is deeply rooted.—Allister Sparks

Examples of hegemon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The world, after trying in vain to placate its predatory hegemon, now seems to have started the hard work of rebalancing. — Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026 When infused with the power of a rising hegemon, those men were capable of actions that expanded their empire’s ambit. — Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026 Passive has further enabled the birth of Big Tech, mega-cap market hegemons that reap outsized riches from self-reinforcing lofty valuations. — Mike Terwilliger, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025 The more American power must be constrained, the more Washington will have to excel at persuasion, the obligatory pursuit of countries that are not hegemons. — Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hegemon

Word History

Etymology

Greek hēgemōn

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hegemon was in 1904

Rhymes for hegemon

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Browse Nearby Words

Hegelism
hegemon
hegemonic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hegemon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hegemon. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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