Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Hegemonic
adjective
/ hej-uh-MON-ik /
Hard
Meaning
Of or relating to dominance, especially of one state, group, or set of ideas over others; preponderant in influence.
Origin / Etymology
From Greek 'hegemon' (leader), giving 'hegemonia' (leadership). Antonio Gramsci's 20th-century theory extended the term from political to cultural and ideological dominance.
Synonyms
Dominant
Preponderant
Ascendant
Antonyms
Subordinate
Marginal
Counter-hegemonic
Example Sentence
"The hegemonic position of US dollar settlement in oil trade is being tested as Russia, Iran, and Venezuela increasingly invoice in rupees, yuan, and dirhams for Indian crude purchases."
🎯 UPSC Usage
GS2 IR / Mains: Use for dominant power-orders — US hegemonic decline thesis, Chinese hegemonic ambitions in Indo-Pacific, hegemonic stability theory. Pair with multipolar/polycentric concepts.
Relevant Subjects
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