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manifest destiny

[man-uh-fest des-tuh-nee] / ˈmæn əˌfɛst ˈdɛs tə ni /
NOUN
expansionist doctrine
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tucked into his speech was a mention of the 19th Century doctrine of "manifest destiny" – the idea that the US was divinely ordained to expand its territory across the continent, spreading American ideals.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

George Washington, though omitted from this equation, had always been present in Borglum’s vision of a sculpture that would represent the manifest destiny that had shaped the United States.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2025

Trump: "We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars."

From Salon • Jan. 21, 2025

It always struck me that Deion Sanders chose Colorado for the next phase of his manifest destiny.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2023

On the inevitability side, it is true there were voices back then urging prospective patriots to regard American independence as an early version of manifest destiny.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis



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