as in oppressive
controlling the people of a country in a very strict way with complete power that cannot be opposed
A totalitarian state that did not even allow outsiders to visit.
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as in authoritarian
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Recent Examples of totalitarian
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024
King’s Running Man, published in 1982 and written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, was set in 2025 in an America under a totalitarian regime that uses violent game shows to placate the disenfranchised masses.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2024
Néstor T. Carbonell, National Review, 16 July 2021
And there’s another reason why totalitarians capable of horrific human rights violations are a real hosting nightmare.
—Sarah Todd, Quartz, 27 Dec. 2019
See all Example Sentences for totalitarian 
Adjective
Language, in 1984, is violence by another means, an adjunct of the totalitarian strategies inflicted by the regime.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024
King’s Running Man, published in 1982 and written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, was set in 2025 in an America under a totalitarian regime that uses violent game shows to placate the disenfranchised masses.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
But that would not address the fundamental goal of the protests: to end the totalitarian stranglehold that has subjected the Cubans to an unbearable serfdom.
—Néstor T. Carbonell, National Review, 16 July 2021
And there’s another reason why totalitarians capable of horrific human rights violations are a real hosting nightmare.
—Sarah Todd, Quartz, 27 Dec. 2019
See all Example Sentences for totalitarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totalitarian
Adjective
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The ongoing siege at the Argentine embassy in Caracas is a stark reminder of the oppressive lengths to which Nicolás Maduro’s regime will go to silence dissent.David Smolansky, National Review, 12 Dec. 2024
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But that sensibility seems especially widespread right now at the tail end of an already challenging year, and on the precipice of what is bound to be an exhausting, oppressive period.James Factora, Them, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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If the impeachment is confirmed by the Constitutional Court, Yoon will become the fourth South Korean president — out of eight total — to be jailed or ousted since the nation democratized in 1987 after decades of authoritarian rule.Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, Georgia’s relations with the EU have deteriorated sharply in recent months as Brussels has alleged that the government had resorted to authoritarian measures and adopted pro-Russian stances.Christian Edwards, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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A number of sports potentates will be making the Idaho scene, at a moment when tens of billions of dollars are changing hands in pursuit of ever-valuable rights.Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 July 2024
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By cracking the whip on local potentates, the party bolsters its already substantial public support and reinforces the power of central institutions.Dali Yang, Foreign Affairs, 13 June 2017
Noun
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For a few hours on December 3, a man President Joe Biden regards as a key ally in the fight against authoritarianism effectively turned into an autocrat.Daniel R. DePetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
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In some cases, he was criticized for heaping praise on autocrats and dictators.Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
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More specifically, in Europe the top three destinations for dictators are Russia, the UK and France!Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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When Assad’s reign ended on Sunday, the dictator fled to Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin granted him asylum.Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Middle East is a region of tyrants, from Iran to Saudi Arabia.John Feffer, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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Some tyrants just can’t resist meddling with the calendar.Jack Butler, National Review, 28 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Totalitarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totalitarian. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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