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empire builder
empire buildernouna person who plans or works to extend dominion or control, as over territory, political organizations, or business enterprises.
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empire-builder
empire-buildernouna person who seeks extra power for its own sake, esp by increasing the number of his subordinates or staff
empire builder
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of empire builder
First recorded in 1890–95
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
CEO and controlling shareholder Brian Roberts has been viewed as an empire builder, but that could be changing.
From Barron's • Dec. 12, 2025
The shard of pottery in question was discovered by a passerby last December and caused a sensation as the first mention of sixth century B.C. empire builder to appear in Israel.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2023
His notion of fast-casual mirrors that of Italian empire builder Fabio Trabocchi, another discerning Washington tastemaker.
From Washington Post • Jul. 25, 2022
He was a mighty empire builder out of an Ayn Rand novel, biding his time amid the weaklings and plotting his revenge.
From New York Times • Jul. 24, 2013
As an empire builder his imagination was stirred.
From Children of the Market Place by Masters, Edgar Lee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.