adventurism

[ ad-ven-chuh-riz-uhm ]

noun

1. defiance or disregard of accepted standards of behavior.
2. rash or irresponsible policies, methods, or actions, especially in political or international affairs.

adventurism

/ ədˈvɛntʃəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. recklessness, esp in politics and finance

Derived Forms

• adˈventurist, noun

Other Words From

• ad·ventur·ist noun
• ad·ventur·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adventurism¹

1835–45; adventure + -ism, as translation of Russian avantyurízm

Example Sentences

The president is facing criticism over his handling of the pandemic, and of adventurism that has committed Turkish troops on several fronts while the economy is in shambles.

From Time

That resistance to foreign adventurism helped propel him to the presidency and keep him there.

From The Daily Beast

And his adventurism may already have cost the Russian economy about $40 billion.

From The Daily Beast

Seeking to consolidate and expand their authority, these statelets may face incentives for adventurism.

From The Daily Beast

More About Adventurism

What does adventurism mean?

Adventurism is recklessness or risk-taking that disregards accepted standards of behavior. It is often used in political context to refer to rash or reckless policies or military actions.

Unlike adventure and adventurous, which are almost always used positively, adventurism is almost always used negatively. It is typically used in discussion of political policies or actions considered irresponsible and poorly planned or thought out.

Example: The unrest in the region follows decades of imperial adventurism that ignored the balance of power between the different groups.

Where does adventurism come from?

The first records of the word adventurism come from the 1830s. It actually first came to English as a translation of a Russian word (transliterated as avantyurízm). The suffix -ism here is used to indicate an action or practice. Most commonly, adventure means “an exciting or very unusual experience”—like a fun quest you’d see in a movie. But it can also mean “a bold, usually risky undertaking; a hazardous action of uncertain outcome.” It is this second meaning that is indicated by adventurism.

Adventurism is the taking of reckless actions, especially in a political or military context. The word is especially used as a way of criticizing military campaigns that are considered to have been poorly planned or that were started without a long-term strategy. For example, the term has been applied by critics to the military actions of the United States in Vietnam and Iraq.

Adventurism can also be used in a nonpolitical context. A company that tries to develop a new product or target a new market without the proper planning may be criticized for adventurism, especially if that effort is a big failure. Remember, an adventure is usually an exciting thrill ride with a happy ending, but adventurism is the opposite—rash decisions that lead to disaster.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of adventurism?

• adventurist (noun)
• adventuristic (adjective)
• adventure (noun)

What are some synonyms for adventurism?

• recklessness

What are some words that share a root or word element with adventurism? 

• adventurous
• venture
• pacifism

What are some words that often get used in discussing adventurism?

• rash
• reckless
• irresponsible
• hazardous
• military
• policy
• action

How is adventurism used in real life?

Although adventurism can be used generally as a term for recklessness in any context, it is most commonly used in a political or military context. It is always used negatively, typically in criticism of such actions.

OPINION: The Iranian regime is finding it extremely difficult to pursue its military adventurism and fund its proxies across the region, writes @Dr_Rafizadeh.https://t.co/vRzWZWUCKh pic.twitter.com/mRjjKQFdOm

— Arab News (@arabnews) December 29, 2019

The budget carries 3 stark messages a) We will not go back to 6.5% GDP growth anytime soon b)The market was narrow and will remain that way till growth picks up and c) Quality and high RoE auto pilot businesses will continue to dominate. Adventurism should take a back seat.

— Basant Maheshwari (@BMTheEquityDesk) February 1, 2020

in today's world of sad nerds complaining that video games shouldn't have politics, it's hard to look at call of duty 4 and say "this is a game that has no politics." it is full of politics. it's the politics of post-9/11 american adventurism and post-cold war resentment.

— oh burning world (@gloominjune) February 14, 2020

 

 

Try using adventurism!

Which of the following words does not describe adventurism?

A. hasty
B. reckless
C. careless
D. responsible