nanny state

noun

1. a government perceived as authoritarian, interfering, or overprotective.

nanny state

noun

1. a government that makes decisions for people that they might otherwise make for themselves, esp those relating to private and personal behaviour

Word History and Origins

Origin of nanny state¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Even in a pandemic-set reunion, Ron said nothing negative about what many real people with his politics saw as a mask-mandating nanny state.

From Time

Tell them they can quit wearing the mask after the vaccine … give them a reward instead of telling them the nanny state is going to be there for three more years, and you’ve got to wear a mask forever.

From Washington Post

The Louisiana university has turned into a nanny state, issuing a campus smoking ban of dubious legality.

From The Daily Beast

Which means that government—good old intrusive Nanny State government— must step in even more.

From The Daily Beast

They see the FDA decision as one more imposition on their lives and choices by the omnipresent nanny state.

From The Daily Beast

But it also means that insurance companies are reliable and active supporters of nanny-state issues.

From The Daily Beast

Kremer calls Stabenow “an advocate for the big-government nanny state.”

From The Daily Beast