hegemonic

American  

[hej-uh-mon-ik] / ˌhɛdʒ əˈmɒn ɪk /

Sometimes hegemonical

adjective

1. having hegemony, or dominance.

   the ruling party's hegemonic control of all facets of society.

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Etymology

Origin of hegemonic

First recorded in 1650–60; from Greek hēgemonikós, equivalent to hegemon ( def. ) + -ic ( def. )

Explanation

Use the adjective hegemonic for the kind of authority and influence a powerful country has over a less powerful one. The U.S. is viewed as playing a hegemonic role in many parts of the world. This word is common in politics, but you can also use it in cultural contexts when an imbalance of power is used to influence or control people. Forcing non-native speakers to speak only in English can be hegemonic — especially because in the U.S. and elsewhere, it's the dominant language. And at school the cool kids may have a hegemonic influence that compels everyone else to wear a certain brand of sneakers. Hegemonic has a Greek root, hēgemon, "authority."

Example Sentences

On Thursday morning he issued a rallying cry in Australia's parliament to "middle powers", urging them to work together in an increasingly hegemonic world order.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

Between 2002 and 2007 the dollar suffered a similar drop, but it didn’t portend the end of its hegemonic status.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 13, 2026

Politicians in a democratic country like India must focus more on raising voters’ living standards than pursuing hegemonic dreams.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 20, 2025

They're supposed to be places where hegemonic power and ideologies are challenged and criticized.

From Salon • Sep. 14, 2024

In 1976 Edward N. Luttwak, now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, in Washington, D.C., published a short, provocative book about imperial Rome that distinguished between territorial and hegemonic empires.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann