totalitarian

1 of 2

adjective

to·​tal·​i·​tar·​i·​an (ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ən 

1

a

: of or relating to centralized control by an autocratic leader or hierarchy : authoritarian, dictatorial

especially : despotic

b

: of or relating to a political regime based on subordination of the individual to the state and strict control of all aspects of the life and productive capacity of the nation especially by coercive measures (such as censorship and terrorism)

2

a

: advocating or characteristic of totalitarianism

b

: completely regulated by the state especially as an aid to national mobilization in an emergency

c

: exercising autocratic powers

totalitarian

2 of 2

noun

: an advocate or practitioner of totalitarianism

Examples of totalitarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Syrian experts have told Fox News Digital that HTS seeks to impose a totalitarian Islamist regime on the population. —Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024

Macrinus views Lucius as his gateway to totalitarian power. —Malik Peay, Essence, 3 Dec. 2024

Noun

Ridicule only appeals to cool kids on coasts and the college towns and totalitarians. —Letters To The Editor, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2020

Under the unconditional patronage of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kadyrov rules his republic as a totalitarian, and has done so since taking power in May 2004, after his father, then President Akhmad Kadyrov, was assassinated. —Layla Taimienova, Foreign Affairs, 10 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Italian totalitario, from totalità totality

First Known Use

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1934, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing totalitarian

• anti-totalitarian

Kids Definition

totalitarian

adjective

to·​tal·​i·​tar·​i·​an

(ˌ)tō-ˌtal-ə-ˈter-ē-ən

: of or relating to a political system in which the government has complete control over the people

totalitarianism

-ē-ə-ˌniz-əm

noun