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

Synonyms

• absolutism
• autarchy
• authoritarianism
• autocracy
• Caesarism
• czarism
• tsarism
• tzarism
• despotism
• dictatorship
• totalism
• tyranny

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

Orwell had robust opinions on totalitarianism, surveillance, censorship and class struggle. —Will Noble, CNN, 23 Nov. 2024

And yet, though unseen by even his own son for years, Lai has become the global face of conscience rights in its perpetual struggle against totalitarianism. —Ashley McGuire, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024

Rasoulof has talked about purposefully making his films less allegorical as his career has progressed, preferring to present his stories about oppression and totalitarianism plainly, so that his resentments are indisputable. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024

Mann understood the appeal of totalitarianism early on. —George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1