neocon
C1Political/journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A political conservative who advocates an interventionist foreign policy, especially in promoting democracy abroad.
More broadly, a modern conservative whose views combine traditional right-wing domestic policies with aggressive internationalism. Often associated with the foreign policy of U.S. administrations in the early 21st century.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is typically used by critics or commentators, rarely as a self-identifier. It often carries a pejorative connotation, implying ideological rigidity or hawkishness. The full form is 'neoconservative'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in and is predominantly used in American political discourse. In British usage, it is less common and typically refers specifically to American politics.
Connotations
In American English, it is heavily loaded, often used as a political attack. In British English, it is more descriptive of a specific U.S. faction.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American political commentary and news media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[adjective] neoconneocon [noun]the neoconsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The neocon project”
- “Neocon thinking”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in analysis of geopolitical risk.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, and modern history to describe a specific school of thought.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation. Appears in political discussions among informed speakers.
Technical
A term of art in political commentary and analysis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The commentator accused him of trying to neocon his way into a new Middle East policy.
American English
- They feared the administration would neocon the country into another endless war.
adverb
British English
- He argued neocon-ly for regime change.
American English
- The senator spoke neocon-ishly about the need for military action.
adjective
British English
- His neocon tendencies were evident in his support for the intervention.
American English
- The magazine published a scathing critique of neocon foreign policy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some politicians are called neocons.
- The journalist argued that neocon policies had failed in the Middle East.
- The resurgence of neocon thinking within the party's foreign policy cadre alarmed the traditional isolationists.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'NEO' (new) + 'CON' (conservative): a new type of conservative focused on reshaping the world.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL IDEOLOGY IS A FORCE (e.g., 'the neocon surge', 'neocon influence waned').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'новый консерватор' (new conservative); 'неокон' is a direct borrowing. The term has specific historical baggage related to U.S. policy, not generic new conservatism.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to describe any modern conservative.
- Spelling as 'neo-con' (hyphen is often dropped).
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'c' (/k/).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'neocon' primarily used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a shortened form of 'neoconservative'.
It is typically used by critics and often carries a negative, pejorative connotation.
An interventionist foreign policy aimed at promoting democracy, often through military means.
Yes, informally (e.g., 'neocon ideology'). The standard adjective is 'neoconservative'.