anticolonialism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, academic, historical, political
Quick answer
What does “anticolonialism” mean?
Opposition to colonialism, especially the political movement or ideology that seeks to end colonial rule.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Opposition to colonialism, especially the political movement or ideology that seeks to end colonial rule.
A theoretical and practical stance critiquing the economic, political, cultural, and psychological domination of colonized peoples, advocating for self-determination and sovereignty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage frequency and historical context differ. More common in British discourse due to the extensive history of the British Empire and decolonization. In American discourse, it often relates to critiques of European empires or broader postcolonial theory.
Connotations
UK: Often associated with specific historical movements in former colonies (e.g., India, Kenya). US: May carry a stronger theoretical/academic connotation linked to postcolonial studies.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK academic/historical texts; moderately low but stable in US academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “anticolonialism” in a Sentence
[Noun] was a key tenet of anticolonialism.[Person/Group] espoused anticolonialism.The movement was rooted in anticolonialism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anticolonialism” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Gandhi's philosophy was a unique form of non-violent anticolonialism.
- The book traces the origins of anticolonialism in the British Caribbean.
American English
- Her research focuses on the intellectual history of anticolonialism in the 20th century.
- The conference explored the links between Black radicalism and anticolonialism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in contexts of ethical investment or corporate history in former colonies.
Academic
Common in history, political science, cultural studies, and postcolonial theory.
Everyday
Very rare. Would typically be replaced by simpler terms like 'fighting for independence'.
Technical
Used precisely in historical and political discourse to denote specific ideologies and movements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anticolonialism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anticolonialism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anticolonialism”
- Using 'anticolonialism' to describe a simple dislike of old buildings (colonial architecture).
- Confusing it with 'postcolonialism', which is the study of the aftermath of colonialism.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Anticolonialism refers to the active movement, ideology, and struggle *against* colonial rule. Postcolonialism is an academic field that studies the cultural, literary, and social impacts *after* the end of formal colonial rule.
No, the standard adjective is 'anticolonial' (e.g., 'an anticolonial struggle'). 'Anticolonialism' is strictly a noun.
No. While some anticolonial movements involved armed struggle (e.g., Algeria, Kenya), others were predominantly political and non-violent (e.g., India under Gandhi).
The term gained significant currency in the mid-20th century during the peak of global decolonization, though the sentiment and related movements existed much earlier.
Opposition to colonialism, especially the political movement or ideology that seeks to end colonial rule.
Anticolonialism is usually formal, academic, historical, political in register.
Anticolonialism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌantɪkəˈləʊnɪəlɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæntikoʊˈloʊniəlɪzəm, ˌæntaɪ-/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the fires of anticolonialism”
- “the tide of anticolonialism”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANTI-COLONY-ism' – being against the establishment of colonies.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANTICOLONIALISM IS A CLEANSING FIRE (purifying the land of foreign control); ANTICOLONIALISM IS A TIDE (an unstoppable, natural force).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most closely related to 'anticolonialism' in a historical context?