Bloc

noun

/blɒk/ (RP), /blɑːk/ (GA)

A group of countries or political parties that have formed an alliance to act together in pursuit of shared strategic, economic, or ideological interests.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

As the post-Cold-War order fragments into competing trade and security blocs, India's strategic autonomy lies in engaging each grouping on its own terms rather than being permanently absorbed into any single one.

Synonyms

alliancecoalitionaxisgroupingfederationleague

Antonyms

factionsplinterindividualisolate

🌱 Word Family

bloc (n), blocs (n pl), bloc-level (adj compound), trading bloc (n compound)

🔡 Root

French bloc = group/block, from Old Dutch via Frankish; entered English 1903 in political-alliance context

📜 Etymology

Borrowed from French bloc ("group, block"), of Old Dutch origin via Frankish; first used in English in 1903 in the context of Continental European political alliances.

🧠 Memory Hook

A "bloc" is a solid block of nations or voters wedged together by common interest - just drop the "k" and you have a political "block".

🤝 International Relations 📖 Seen in: India & Multilateral Forums — UN, BRIC...

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