milosevic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Historical, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “milosevic” mean?
A proper noun.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun; the surname of Slobodan Milošević (1941–2006), former President of Serbia and of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a central figure in the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s.
The name is often used metonymically to refer to the era of Serbian nationalism, the Bosnian War, the Kosovo War, and associated war crimes and international tribunals of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between UK and US English. Both use the name in the same historical and political contexts.
Connotations
Universally associated with authoritarian rule, ethnic conflict, war crimes, and the breakdown of Yugoslavia. The connotations are overwhelmingly negative in mainstream Western discourse.
Frequency
Frequency peaked during the Yugoslav Wars and his trial (1990s-2006). It is now primarily encountered in historical, political science, and international law contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “milosevic” in a Sentence
Milošević was [verb, e.g., 'indicted', 'ousted', 'succeeded']...The [noun, e.g., 'policies', 'regime', 'trial'] of Milošević...During the time of Milošević,...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “milosevic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Milošević-era policies left deep scars.
- A Milošević-style propaganda campaign.
American English
- Milošević-era nationalism
- a Milošević-like grip on power.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Frequent in Political Science, Modern History, International Relations, and Law journals discussing the Balkans, nationalism, or international tribunals.
Everyday
Rare, except in discussions of recent history or news retrospectives.
Technical
Used in International Criminal Law, specifically regarding the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “milosevic”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “milosevic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “milosevic”
- Misspelling: Milosevic (without diacritics is common but technically inaccurate), Milosevich, Milosovic. Mispronouncing the final 'ć' as a hard 'k'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The core pronunciation is similar, but the vowel in the second syllable often differs: British English tends towards /ɒ/ ('lo**t**') while American English uses /oʊ/ ('go').
Early English-language media often omitted special characters due to technical limitations. While 'Milošević' is correct, 'Milosevic' has become a common, accepted Anglicized form.
In mainstream international and academic English, it carries overwhelmingly negative connotations. In some Serbian nationalist discourses within Serbia, it may be used neutrally or positively, but this is not the standard usage in global English.
It is too specific and historically loaded. Using it as a generic term ('another Milošević') is a strong rhetorical device implying a very particular type of ethno-nationalist authoritarian associated with the Balkans in the 1990s.
A proper noun.
Milosevic is usually formal, historical, academic, journalistic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No direct idioms. Figurative use: 'He's no Milošević' implies someone is not a ruthless nationalist leader.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MILLIONS were affected by the actions of Slobodan Milošević.'
Conceptual Metaphor
THE NAME AS AN ERA: 'The Milošević years' conceptualizes a period of conflict. THE NAME AS A SYMBOL: 'Milošević' symbolizes resurgent ethno-nationalism in post-Cold War Europe.
Practice
Quiz
In what context is the name 'Milošević' most accurately used?