capitalistic
capitalistic — adjective
- capitalisticpositive
- more capitalisticcomparative
- most capitalisticsuperlative
1. shaped by an economy where private people, not the government, own and run busin
shaped by an economy where private people, not the government, own and run businesses to earn money for themselves
Many Eastern European countries moved to a capitalistic economy after 1990.
common collocation: capitalistic economy / system
Mira argued that a capitalistic society rewards people who take big business risks.
modifies abstract nouns: society, economy, model
The reforms turned the old state-run farms into capitalistic ventures owned by families.
Under the new capitalistic rules, anyone could open a shop and keep the profits.
In the capitalistic city of Lagos, glass towers rise beside crowded street markets.
- market-based
neutral economic term; less likely to carry criticism
- free-market
stresses light government control specifically
用法筆記
Most often modifies abstract economic nouns (economy, system, society, market). Distinguish from sense 2, which describes people or groups who support capitalism rather than a structure built on it.
2. believing in or actively following the idea that private business and profit sho
believing in or actively following the idea that private business and profit should drive an economy
Eleni held strongly capitalistic views and disliked any government control of trade.
describes a person's beliefs: capitalistic views / attitudes
At the election rally, the party took a capitalistic stance and promised lower business taxes.
collocation: capitalistic stance / approach
Christopher ran his bakery with a capitalistic spirit, always chasing the next profit.
Tara followed her capitalistic instincts and bought three empty shops to rent out for profit.
The young mayor was openly capitalistic, praising local traders for creating jobs.
- pro-business
narrower; favours companies but not the whole system
- free-enterprise
stresses freedom to start and run firms
- anti-capitalist
directly opposed to the profit-driven system
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person, group, or their beliefs (views, stance, instincts). Differs from sense 1: here the word names an attitude in favour of capitalism, not a structure already built on it.
3. having a large amount of money or property that is used to start or grow a busin
having a large amount of money or property that is used to start or grow a business
The capitalistic families owned the mills, the docks, and most of the city's land.
describes wealth-holding owners: capitalistic class / families
Bao came from a capitalistic background, his grandparents having built three factories.
collocation: capitalistic background / class
Selim joined the capitalistic class only after his small workshop grew into a chain.
The novel describes a capitalistic landlord who owned every house on the street.
- moneyed
formal; stresses having inherited or large wealth
- propertied
owning land or buildings specifically
- penniless
having no money or property at all
用法筆記
Rare and formal; mostly in older or academic writing about wealthy owners (capitalistic class, capitalistic families). Modern English usually prefers 'capitalist' for this 'owning capital' meaning.