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

“The White House has certainly gotten the message, both from agriculture and the food sector, that they are on the edge of a nanny state,” one lobbyist said, speaking anonymously to discuss the conversations candidly.

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Ironically, these intrusions are enthusiastically supported by the same voters who whine incessantly about the nanny state.

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In the Republican world, freedom means going unvaccinated in a pandemic in order to give the finger to the nanny state.

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Reacting to the outcome, James Evans MS, the Welsh Conservatives' health and social care representative, described the rules as "nanny state nonsense".

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She got pilloried by the right for it: “It's government interference. And it's a nanny state.”

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