imperium

noun

im-ˈpir-ē-əm How to pronounce imperium (audio)
Definition of imperiumnext
as in dominion
controlling power or influence over others a nation whose economic imperium waned after the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of imperium Everyone in the imperium knows the emperor is a nincompoop—and yet no one wants to go out on a limb to criticize him. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025 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 Nintendo has built a reputation on its willingness to catch fans off-guard, and a shutterbug adventure was the last thing anyone expected at the zenith of Pokemon’s imperium. — Luke Winkie, Vulture, 18 June 2025 The Islamic Republic of Iran is motivated by a desire to bring about the end times and usher in an everlasting Islamic imperium. — Mike Coté, National Review, 20 July 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperium
  1. dominion
  2. domination
  3. sovereignty
  4. dominance
  5. supremacy
Noun
  • The show represents a milestone in American TV, when showrunners like Shonda Rhimes began to become famous names in and of themselves, and create whole dominions of TV shows on networks and streaming services.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • Freeman had accomplished more than protecting her daughter from Hannah Ashley’s blow and, with perseverance, succeeded in getting herself and Lizzie out from under the Ashleys’ dominion.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 22 June 2026
Definition of dominion
Noun
  • However, when the monsters become bent on world domination, the Minions must band together to defeat the creations gone awry.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Being top dog on the local council, however, is not the same as world domination.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of domination
Noun
  • Hezbollah denounces the deal as a threat to Lebanese sovereignty, while Israeli leaders vow not to cede ‘a millimeter’ until the group is fully disarmed.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Hernandez frames message sovereignty as the answer to a question every leader needs to sit with.
    — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • The score might not suggest dominance, but Colombia controlled the game from the outset and held possession for nearly two-thirds of the match.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • Even casual soccer fans know about Lionel Messi and his dominance (six goals already).
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of dominance
Noun
  • Lawmakers continually warn China’s efforts are threatening to eclipse the United States’ technological supremacy in space.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Long story short, the new Free tent jumps right into the same minimal weight lane as other those other new ultralight freestanding tents, ready to battle it out for backcountry supremacy.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 June 2026
Definition of supremacy

Browse Nearby Words

imperishable
imperium
imperiums
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Cite this Entry

“Imperium.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperium. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on imperium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about imperium

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