empire builder

American  

noun

1. a person who plans or works to extend dominion or control, as over territory, political organizations, or business enterprises.

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empire-builder British  

noun

1. informal a person who seeks extra power for its own sake, esp by increasing the number of his subordinates or staff

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Other Word Forms

• empire-building noun

Etymology

Origin of empire builder

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

CEO and controlling shareholder Brian Roberts has been viewed as an empire builder, but that could be changing.

From Barron's • Dec. 12, 2025

His notion of fast-casual mirrors that of Italian empire builder Fabio Trabocchi, another discerning Washington tastemaker.

From Washington Post • Jul. 25, 2022

While officials announced that the school would be renamed after Matobo — also called Matopo or Matopos by visitors — the president joked about the British empire builder.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 10, 2017

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

"What would you call a man of twenty-six whose only means of making a living was the writing of Gridley Quayle stories—an empire builder?"

From Something New by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)