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

He’d already been on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight and Empire Builder and picked California Zephyr for his birthday trip with his parents.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Nevertheless, she had the temperament and stamina and force of an empire builder,” Glück wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Amtrak’s Empire Builder derailed Sept. 25, 2021, in northern Montana while en route from Chicago to Seattle and Portland, Oregon, with 154 people on board.

From Seattle Times

While he lost his first three starts the following year, the last one was a half-length loss to eventual Kentucky Derby favorite Empire Builder in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York.

From Washington Times