Hegemonic

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /hɛd͡ʒ.ɪˈmɒn.ɪk/

Definitions

1. Referring to a dominant influence or authority exercised by a particular group or ideology over others, often seen in social, political, or cultural contexts
2. Characterized by control or leadership over a group, often marginalizing opposing views while promoting a specific agenda or worldview
3. Describing the exertion of power by one entity that shapes perceptions and norms within a society, impacting various facets of life and interaction

Etymology: Hegemonic is a plain adjective built on "hegemony" (from Greek "hēgemonía", leadership, from "hēgemōn", leader), with the suffix "-ic" added at the end. The suffix itself has a long pedigree: it passed from Latin "-icus" through Old French "-ique" into Middle English as "-ik", and English later settled on the spelling "-ic". So the word is a Greek-derived noun, plus an ancient adjective-making ending that carried it into English. The base noun "hegemony" is the older and more interesting half. In ancient Greece, "hēgemōn" meant a leader, and it was used of a leading city or state among others, so the idea of one power holding sway over its neighbours was built in from the start. "Hegemonic" describes whatever behaves in that dominant way, whether a nation, a class, or an idea.

Synonyms: dominant, ruling, controlling

Antonyms: subordinate, inferior