statist
1 Americannoun
adjective
noun
noun
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an advocate of statism
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a less common name for a statistician
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archaic a politician or statesman
adjective
Etymology
Origin of statist1
First recorded in 1575–85; state + -ist
Origin of statist2
Shortened form
Explanation
In politics, a statist is someone who believes that a central government should control many aspects of law, the economy, and social policies. Most people labeled statists are in favor of a very strong national government, or state. Politically, the direct opposite of a statist is an anarchist, someone who advocates for a completely stateless society. There are different political systems that can be considered statist, including authoritarianism, a form of government with an absolute ruler, and socialism, in which there is governmental control over industry. What these statist systems have in common is a strong central government.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The late former premier notably clashed with the current leadership over Xi's consolidation of power and statist approach in 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
His statist bent aside, Mr. Newsom is recognizing the disruption from AI and trying to address it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026
His track record suggests he is likely to favour a more statist approach to economic management, Evans-Pritchard said.
From Reuters ● Oct. 30, 2022
The irony of a statist and anti-consumerist tract is that, as Trentmann makes clear, governments have been major drivers of consumption patterns and growth throughout history.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 1, 2016
Sri Lanka In 1977, Colombo abandoned statist economic policies and its import substitution trade policy for more market-oriented policies, export-oriented trade, and encouragement of foreign investment.
From The 2007 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
