Orwellian

American

[awr-wel-ee-uhn] / ɔrˈwɛl i ən /

adjective

of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or resembling the literary work of George Orwell or the totalitarian future described in his antiutopian novel 1984 (1949).

Etymology

Origin of Orwellian

1945–50; after G. Orwell ( def. ) + -ian

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.

Orwellian fears are growing about a new kind of surveillance state that was once just the stuff of nightmares.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Beers, who was surprised by the win, said the world “seems to become slightly more Orwellian with each passing day.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2025

Hopefully, we’ll still be allowed to call it Orwellian.

From Salon • Mar. 18, 2025

"It's absolutely Orwellian, isn't it, the use of the word 'exception' now, instead of 'bug'?" he said.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2024

It is assumed they were placed like so many stone sentinels for maximum Orwellian impact: the king is here, the king is watching you.*

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023