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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
International Relations
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