Hegemony refers to a position of power in which one group, country, or social force dominateshas control over or is stronger than others in a situation or leads others. It is often used in politics, history, and internationalinvolving relations between different countries relations, but it can also describe broader kinds of control or influencethe power to affect people, decisions, or events.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /həˈdʒɛməni/
Easy pronunciation: huh-JEM-uh-nee (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the second syllable: JEM.
Noun meaning dominance or leadership of one group or nation over others.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Hegemony Meaning
control or leadership over others, especially in politics or society
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others
Example: The country’s economic hegemony grew after the war.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- dominance — A close substitute when power or control is the main idea.
- supremacy — Works when one group or country is above others in power or influence.
- rule — Can fit in political or social contexts, but is broader and less precise.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Hegemony Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- dominance
- supremacy
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using hegemony to mean simple popularity or influence without any idea of dominance.
- Confusing hegemony with hedonism, which means pleasure-seeking.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hegemony mean in simple English?
It means one group, country, or power has control or a leading position over others.
What are the best synonyms for hegemony?
The strongest everyday synonyms are dominance and supremacy. Rule can work in some contexts, but it is less precise.
Is hegemony always political?
No. It is most common in political and social writing, but it can also describe control or leadership in other large-scale settings.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.