manifest destiny

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

It really goes back to individuals who saw manifest destiny.

From Slate • Aug. 13, 2025

In high school history classes this painting, is often used as a way of pictorially representing "manifest destiny," since it shows American settlers moving west.

From Salon • May 30, 2023

“As I’ve said in the past, it’s, I feel, our manifest destiny to continue to grow and not just grow in the United States but grow outside the United States as well.”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2022

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