totalitarianism
noun
to·tal·i·tar·i·an·ism
(ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 
1
: centralized control by an autocratic authority
2
: the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority
Examples of totalitarianism in a Sentence
in times of crisis, when a nation's people are frightened, there are often calls for totalitarianism
Recent Examples on the Web
And this particular slide into totalitarianism is a rather recent development (which gives one hope that it could be reversed).
—
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025
With the help of grants from Jewish groups, social psychologists, sociologists, and other scholars investigated how antisemitism was connected to totalitarianism, religion and other forms of racial and ethnic stereotyping.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025
This episode shows that—although China has never had a U.S.-style constitution—Beijing moved away from Maoist totalitarianism under Deng, thereby instilling a sense of security and confidence among Chinese entrepreneurs.
—Yasheng Huang, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2023
The book, which was written in 1948, focuses on the consequences of totalitarianism, the government’s mass surveillance of the public and how truth and fact can be manipulated.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totalitarianism
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025
With the help of grants from Jewish groups, social psychologists, sociologists, and other scholars investigated how antisemitism was connected to totalitarianism, religion and other forms of racial and ethnic stereotyping.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025
This episode shows that—although China has never had a U.S.-style constitution—Beijing moved away from Maoist totalitarianism under Deng, thereby instilling a sense of security and confidence among Chinese entrepreneurs.
—Yasheng Huang, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2023
The book, which was written in 1948, focuses on the consequences of totalitarianism, the government’s mass surveillance of the public and how truth and fact can be manipulated.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totalitarianism
Articles Related to totalitarianism
Cite this Entry
“Totalitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totalitarianism. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share