dystopian
adjective
dys·to·pi·an
(ˌ)dis-ˈtō-pē-ən 
variants
or less commonly dystopic
: of, relating to, or being an imagined world or society in which people lead dehumanized, fearful lives : relating to or characteristic of a dystopia
A twisted romantic haunted by dystopian visions, Gibson borrows the language of science fiction and crafts doomed love stories with high-tech trappings.—
Maitland McDonagh
Maitland McDonaghDystopian visions are in a sense mythopoeic: depicting a creation myth in a future world of darkness and silence.—Sarah Lefanu
Sarah LefanuBiotechnology is a force for good, but without adherence to the ideal of universal human equality, it opens the door to the soft tyranny of Gattaca and, ultimately the dystopian nightmare of Brave New World.—Wesley J. Smith
Wesley J. SmithLike many advances in science and technology, the dystopian implications of data mining have been described best by science-fiction writers.—John Markoff
John Markoff… Orwellian has become a word itself: an adjective denoting a dystopic world where language is cut adrift from meaning.—Harvey A. Daniels
Harvey A. DanielsLetter by letter, we read of a society that seems to move from one dystopic nightmare to another …—Simon Winchester
Simon WinchesterExamples of dystopian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Dystopian Framework of Severance Severance constructs a meticulously detailed dystopian universe in its first two series that mirrors the challenges faced by companies, particularly within corporate structures.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Whether that sounds utopian or dystopian, a great deal of human life could be immortalized in a DNA cloud—or lake.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025
The Testaments takes place in the dystopian theocracy of Gilead more than 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
With five books, six films and even an upcoming stage adaptation set for London this October, there’s no sign of slowing down for this juggernaut dystopian franchise.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dystopian
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.
Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Whether that sounds utopian or dystopian, a great deal of human life could be immortalized in a DNA cloud—or lake.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025
The Testaments takes place in the dystopian theocracy of Gilead more than 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
With five books, six films and even an upcoming stage adaptation set for London this October, there’s no sign of slowing down for this juggernaut dystopian franchise.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dystopian
Cite this Entry
“Dystopian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dystopian. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share