domino theory
noun
1
: a theory that if one nation becomes Communist-controlled the neighboring nations will also become Communist-controlled
2
: the theory that if one act or event is allowed to take place a series of similar acts or events will follow
Examples of domino theory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two of the key theories underpinning the decision to invade—forcible democracy promotion and the domino theory—had been discredited before 2003.
—
Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
There is no objective reason why decisions guided by domino theory are irrational and Putin’s attack on Ukraine is not.
—Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
The domino theory had the Big 12 being one of the beneficiaries of a Pac-12 implosion.
—Dallas News, 19 Jan. 2023
But in a podcast interview in May with Joe Oltmann, a right-wing activist in Colorado, Griffin placed his outwardly quixotic actions in the context of a sort of domino theory of how the 2020 election might still be overturned.
—New York Times, 19 July 2022
What about the influence of the domino theory, a key Cold War doctrine, on his decision-making?
—Michael Bobelian, Washington Post, 1 July 2022
More broadly, in employing the domino theory, U.S. leaders had acted as though Southeast Asia was composed of vital dominoes in the Cold War.
—Jordan Michael Smith, The New Republic, 10 Jan. 2022
That was the sole country Communist Vietnam ever invaded, forever undercutting the domino theory — the war’s foundational lie.
—New York Times, 9 June 2021
This belief in this domino theory was so strong that the United States broke with its European allies and refused to sign the 1954 Geneva Accords ending the French war.
—New York Times, 9 June 2021
Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
There is no objective reason why decisions guided by domino theory are irrational and Putin’s attack on Ukraine is not.
—Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
The domino theory had the Big 12 being one of the beneficiaries of a Pac-12 implosion.
—Dallas News, 19 Jan. 2023
But in a podcast interview in May with Joe Oltmann, a right-wing activist in Colorado, Griffin placed his outwardly quixotic actions in the context of a sort of domino theory of how the 2020 election might still be overturned.
—New York Times, 19 July 2022
What about the influence of the domino theory, a key Cold War doctrine, on his decision-making?
—Michael Bobelian, Washington Post, 1 July 2022
More broadly, in employing the domino theory, U.S. leaders had acted as though Southeast Asia was composed of vital dominoes in the Cold War.
—Jordan Michael Smith, The New Republic, 10 Jan. 2022
That was the sole country Communist Vietnam ever invaded, forever undercutting the domino theory — the war’s foundational lie.
—New York Times, 9 June 2021
This belief in this domino theory was so strong that the United States broke with its European allies and refused to sign the 1954 Geneva Accords ending the French war.
—New York Times, 9 June 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'domino theory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Domino theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domino%20theory. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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