internationalism
Americannoun
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the principle of cooperation among nations, for the promotion of their common good, sometimes as contrasted with nationalism, or devotion to the interests of a particular nation.
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international character, relations, cooperation, or control.
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(initial capital letter) the principles or methods of a communist or socialist International.
noun
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the ideal or practice of cooperation and understanding between nations
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the state or quality of being international
Etymology
Origin of internationalism
First recorded in 1850–55; international + -ism
Compare meaning
How does internationalism compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
In political science, internationalism refers to the idea that cooperation between different countries is beneficial for everyone. A government that adheres to the doctrine of internationalism works with other governments to avoid conflict and to cooperate economically. Most fans of internationalism are also in favor of "free trade," in which nations are free to buy and sell goods across all borders. The opposite of internationalism is ultranationalism or jingoism, which favor extreme patriotism and aggression toward other countries.
Vocabulary lists containing internationalism
Words with 15 or More Letters, List 2
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U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
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U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
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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.
Perhaps the difference lies in the two types of internationalism, or “globalism,” as some like to say.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Sir Keir also promised to return the UK to “responsible global leadership” by recommitting to “the UN, to internationalism, to the rule of law”.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2024
When “Parasite” triumphed, it was a chest-thump for Hollywood’s expanding internationalism.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 7, 2024
By contrast, Pence and Christie, who both have traveled to Ukraine in recent months, and Haley, who served as Trump’s U.N. ambassador, have stayed with the party’s pre-Trump hawkish internationalism.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2023
His declaration was the most advanced doctrine of internationalism pronounced by any of the Allied statesmen.
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.
