fascist

American  

[fash-ist] / ˈfæʃ ɪst /

noun

1. a person who believes in or sympathizes with fascism.

2. (often initial capital letter) a member of a fascist movement or party.

3. a person who is dictatorial or has extreme nationalist views.

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adjective

1. Also fascistic of or like fascism or fascists.

fascist ¹ British  

/ ˈfæʃɪst /

noun

1. an adherent or practitioner of fascism

2. any person regarded as having right-wing authoritarian views

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adjective

1. characteristic of or relating to fascism

Fascist ² British  

/ ˈfæʃɪst /

noun

1. a supporter or member of the Italian Fascist movement

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adjective

1. of or relating to Italian Fascism

Usage

What does fascist mean? A fascist is someone who supports or promotes 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 words fascist and fascism are sometimes capitalized, especially when they specifically refer 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. The term fascist 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. Apart from their literal (and often capitalized) use to refer to the regime of Mussolini, the words fascism and fascist are typically used negatively as a criticism of such practices and ideologies—fascists typically avoid calling themselves fascists due to 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 the word itself has increased in the 21st century, along with a global rise of nationalism and movements associated with fascism.

Other Word Forms

• antifascist noun
• fascistically adverb
• nonfascist noun
• prefascist adjective
• profascist adjective

Etymology

Origin of fascist

First recorded in 1915–20; from Italian fascista, equivalent to fasc(io) ( fascism ) + -ista -ist

Explanation

If you know someone who's a fascist, that person is probably into control. A fascist is a follower of a political philosophy characterized by authoritarian views and a strong central government — and no tolerance for opposing opinions. Fascist traces to the Italian word fascio, meaning "group, bundle." Under fascist rule, the emphasis is on the group — the nation — with few individual rights. You must support the ruling party's views on society, politics, and culture — or else. The term was used by Italian political leader Benito Mussolini under his totalitarian, anti-communist government. The word can describe someone who supports fascism — or whose behavior is so stern and controlling that it seems like he does.

Example Sentences

The glamorous Diana left her first husband for the British fascist leader Oswald Mosley, whom she married in 1936.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

All these are not specific to fascism, but they certainly do belong in the fascist mixture, so to speak.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026

Milan was Italy’s Munich, the birthplace of Benito Mussolini’s fascist movement.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

Among people present was Orsola Mussolini, great-granddaughter of Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, who supplied crucial military backing to Franco during the civil war alongside Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany.

From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025

Park's dad had decided to be a fascist about Park's driver's license; he'd announced last night that Park had to learn to drive a stick first.

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell