absolutism

American  

[ab-suh-loo-tiz-uhm] / ˈæb sə luˌtɪz əm /

noun

1. the principle or the exercise of complete and unrestricted power in government.

   Synonyms:

   totalitarianism

2. any theory holding that values, principles, etc., are absolute and not relative, dependent, or changeable.

---

absolutism British  

/ ˈæbsəluːˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. the principle or practice of a political system in which unrestricted power is vested in a monarch, dictator, etc; despotism

2. philosophy

   1. any theory which holds that truth or moral or aesthetic value is absolute and universal and not relative to individual or social differences Compare relativism

   2. the doctrine that reality is unitary and unchanging and that change and diversity are mere illusion See also monism pluralism

3. Christianity an uncompromising form of the doctrine of predestination

---

Other Word Forms

• absolutist noun
• absolutistic adjective
• absolutistically adverb
• nonabsolutist noun
• nonabsolutistic adjective
• nonabsolutistically adverb
• proabsolutism noun
• proabsolutist adjective

Etymology

Origin of absolutism

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Bopp recognized that if he could craft the right case, one that appealed to Kennedy’s First Amendment absolutism, there was a real chance to rewrite the rules of American democracy.

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2025

In the five centuries that preceded the American Revolution, parliamentary control of the national purse was its primary weapon in preventing royal absolutism.

From Slate • Jan. 29, 2025

Elon’s free speech absolutism push is definitely a hot topic on Twitter.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 14, 2023

"Will he make concessions with his absolutism on speech to bring back advertisers? Because that's what it really comes down to," he said.

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2023

According to the moral absolutism that characterizes McCandless’s beliefs, a challenge in which a successful outcome is assured isn’t a challenge at all.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer