fascistize

[ fash-is-tahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, fas·cist·ized, fas·cist·iz·ing.

1. to make fascist; convert to fascism or a fascist philosophy or methods.

Other Words From

• fascist·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fascistize¹

First recorded in 1935–40; fascist + -ize

About This Word

What does fascistize mean?

Fascistize means to convert a system into fascism—a system of government led by a dictator who typically rules by forcefully and often violently suppressing opposition and criticism, controlling all industry and commerce, and promoting nationalism and often racism.

The word fascism sometimes specifically refers to the dictatorship of Benito Mussolini in Italy from 1922 to 1943, or authoritarian systems similar to his, including those of Adolf Hitler in Germany and Francisco Franco in Spain.

Fascism can also refer to an ideology based on this form of rule, or to the use of its methods. More broadly, fascism is used to refer to any ideology or movement seen as authoritarian, nationalistic, and extremely right wing, especially when fundamentally opposed to democracy and liberalism.

Fascistize can also be used in a similarly broad way. It’s based on the term fascist, which can be a noun referring generally to someone who has such views, or, more specifically, to a member of such a government or movement. Fascist can also be used as an adjective describing something involving or promoting fascism.

Fascistize is not commonly used. When it is, it’s almost always used as a criticism of such practices and ideologies and the negative history associated with the terms.

That history includes the rise of fascism in the 1920s and ’30s, the Holocaust perpetrated by Hitler and the Nazis, and other atrocities and oppression committed under fascist regimes. Interest in the history of fascism and related words has increased in the 21st century, along with a global rise of nationalism and movements associated with fascism.

Where does fascistize come from?

The first records of the word fascistize come from the time of Mussolini. Its based word, fascist, comes from the Italian fascista, from fascio, meaning “political group.” Mussolini formed these small political groups into a political party, Partito Nazionale Fascista—the National Fascist Party. Fascist and the Italian fascio ultimately derive from the Latin fascis, meaning “bundle” (the plural form is fasces). In ancient Rome, fasces consisted of a bundle of rods with an axe blade sticking out. This was used as a symbol of a government official’s power. The Italian fascists brought back the fasces as a symbol of their brand of nationalism, which became known as fascism. The suffix -ism indicates a doctrine or set of principles, and -ist indicates a person who adheres to this doctrine or principles.

As an ideology, fascism typically centers around extreme nationalism and an opposition to democracy and liberalism. In practice, fascism revolves around a ruler who uses absolute power to suppress the individual freedom of citizens, making everyone completely subject to the power of the state. Fascistizing often involves the use of violent methods for political ends. In the context of a fascist government, this often means the use of the military against citizens.

Fascist leaders typically fascistize by first gaining support. They do this by appealing to people’s nationalism and racism, especially by promoting suspicion or hatred of people that they label as foreigners or otherwise cast as illegitimate citizens—as Hitler did with the Jews in Germany. Such leaders often reinforce these themes among their followers with rallies and mass parades (developing what’s sometimes called a cult of personality).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to fascistize?

• fascistise (British English spelling)
• fascistization (noun)
• fascist (noun, adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with fascistize? 

• fasces
• fascia

What are some words that often get used in discussing fascistize?

• Benito Mussolini
• Adolf Hitler
• nationalist
• racist
• authoritarian
• totalitarian
• despotic
• absolutist
• Nazi
• dictator
• autocracy

How is fascistize used in real life?

The word fascistize is always used in a negative way as a criticism of fascism. But it’s not commonly used.

#Thessaloniki University Vice-Dean who said “We in power should fascistize” was forced to resign http://t.co/yiqcate6hL #Greece

— Keep Talking Greece (@keeptalkingGR) November 25, 2014

(I'm italian)
We were surrounded by roman insigna, art and ruins.
It was just an easy way to "fascistize" the whole country.

— ConteZero 🇪🇺 (@ConteZero76) August 17, 2017

Fascist hack who gave a fascist salute at a national political convention quotes paper owned by a foreign soft-porn peddler in support of the fascist scum she hailed at a national political convention with a fascist salute on live television. Well, fascists are gonna fascistize.

— Chris Floyd (@empireburlesque) June 10, 2020