hyper-expansionist
|hy-per-ex-pan-sion-ist|
🇺🇸
/ˌhaɪpər ɪkˈspænʃənɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˌhaɪpə ɪkˈspænʃənɪst/
extreme desire to expand
Etymology
'hyper-expansionist' originates from the Greek prefix 'hyper-' meaning 'over, beyond' and the English formation 'expansionist' (from 'expansion' + suffix '-ist'), where 'expansion' traces back to Latin 'expansio' from 'expandere'.
'expandere' (Latin) produced 'expansio' and passed into later Romance languages and Middle English as forms of 'expand'/'expansion'; English then formed 'expansionist' by adding the agentive suffix '-ist' to 'expansion'. The modern compound 'hyper-expansionist' is formed by attaching the Greek-derived intensifying prefix 'hyper-' to that noun/adjective.
Initially related terms meant 'to spread out' or 'the action of expanding'; over time 'expansionist' came to mean 'favoring expansion' and the addition of 'hyper-' shifted the sense to 'excessively or extremely in favor of expansion.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person, group, or policy that is hyper-expansionist — i.e., one that seeks aggressive and excessive expansion.
Many critics labeled the regime a hyper-expansionist, blaming it for regional instability.
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Adjective 1
extremely expansionist; favoring aggressive territorial, political, or economic expansion to an excessive degree.
The government's hyper-expansionist policy alarmed neighboring states and international observers.
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Last updated: 2026/01/11 15:39