regime change: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-High in political contexts, Low in everyday conversation.Formal
Quick answer
What does “regime change” mean?
The overthrow or replacement of a government, often through force or political means.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The overthrow or replacement of a government, often through force or political means.
A significant change in political system or leadership, which can involve external intervention, internal rebellion, or democratic transition, and is commonly discussed in international relations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; both dialects use the term similarly.
Connotations
In both, it can imply foreign intervention or domestic upheaval, with potential positive or negative overtones based on perspective.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to its prominence in foreign policy discussions and media.
Grammar
How to Use “regime change” in a Sentence
regime change in [country]to achieve regime changethe threat of regime changecalls for regime changeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “regime change” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The coalition aimed to regime-change the dictatorship through diplomatic pressure.
- They discussed how to regime-change without military intervention.
American English
- The administration considered whether to regime-change the hostile state.
- Activists push to regime-change corrupt governments globally.
adverb
British English
- The transition occurred regime-change slowly over several years.
- They acted regime-change cautiously to avoid backlash.
American English
- The process unfolded regime-change rapidly after the election.
- They proceeded regime-change deliberately with international support.
adjective
British English
- The regime-change operation was kept secret from the public.
- They analysed regime-change strategies in historical contexts.
American English
- The regime-change policy faced criticism from allies.
- Experts debated regime-change outcomes in various regions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may refer to major corporate leadership changes or restructuring in multinational contexts.
Academic
Common in political science, history, and international relations to analyze governmental transitions and their impacts.
Everyday
Primarily encountered in news reports or political discussions; not typical in casual conversation.
Technical
In political analysis, refers to specific processes of governmental replacement, often with criteria for success or failure.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “regime change”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “regime change”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “regime change”
- Using 'regime change' to describe minor administrative changes or non-political transitions.
- Confusing it with 'policy change' or 'economic reform'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be peaceful, such as through elections or diplomatic means, but it often implies some level of force or upheaval.
It is primarily a political term; using it in other contexts, like business, is rare and metaphorical, referring to major leadership changes.
'Regime change' is broader and can include external interventions or gradual transitions, while 'revolution' typically implies an internal, grassroots movement with radical change.
In British English, it is often pronounced with /reɪˈʒiːm/, while American English commonly uses /rəˈʒiːm/ for 'regime', but both use /ʧeɪndʒ/ for 'change'.
The overthrow or replacement of a government, often through force or political means.
Regime change is usually formal in register.
Regime change: in British English it is pronounced /reɪˈʒiːm ʧeɪndʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /rəˈʒiːm ʧeɪndʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “changing of the guard”
- “power shift”
- “out with the old, in with the new”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'regime' as the government system and 'change' as replacement, so regime change means replacing the government.
Conceptual Metaphor
Politics as a battlefield where regimes are targets for change or as a machine requiring repair or overhaul.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'regime change'?