totalitarianism

[ toh-tal-i-tair-ee-uh-niz-uhm ]

/ toʊˌtæl ɪˈtɛər i əˌnɪz əm /

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See synonyms for totalitarianism on Thesaurus.com

noun

the practices and principles of a totalitarian regime.

absolute control by the state or a governing branch of a highly centralized institution.

the character or quality of an autocratic or authoritarian individual, group, or government: the totalitarianism of the father.

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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

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candypuff

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Origin of totalitarianism

First recorded in 1920–25; totalitarian + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM totalitarianism

to·tal·i·tar·i·an·ist, noun

Words nearby totalitarianism

total impulse, total internal reflection, totalism, totalistic, totalitarian, totalitarianism, totalitarianize, totality, totalizator, totalize, totalizer

How to use totalitarianism in a sentence

“Liberalism has become consistently more aggressive in extending each of these features to their logical conclusion — their own contradiction in the form of liberal totalitarianism,” Deneen argues.
The intellectual right’s war on America’s institutions|Zack Beauchamp|November 19, 2021|Vox
Democracy is finished because they usher in totalitarianism.
L. Brent Bozell IV, descendant of prominent conservative family, charged in Capitol breach|Spencer Hsu|February 17, 2021|Washington Post
Other democratic nations — such as Britain with its impartiality rules — have long relied on similar content regulations without sliding into totalitarianism.
The Fairness Doctrine won’t solve our problems — but it can foster needed debate|Victor Pickard|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
The huge difference between those rulers and Napoleon comes down to one word: totalitarianism.
Napoleon Was a Dynamite Dictator|J.P. O’Malley|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I believe totalitarianism is a peculiarly 20th century idea.
Napoleon Was a Dynamite Dictator|J.P. O’Malley|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For Christopher, supporting the war was an expression of his anti-totalitarianism.
My Friend and Mentor, Christopher Hitchens|Eli Lake|December 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was the hundreds, thousands, of humanists from Russia and the Eastern bloc who fought totalitarianism.
Conservatives on the Wrong Side of History on Mandela, Most Other Things|Michael Tomasky|December 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If young adults can handle erotic vampires and totalitarianism, surely they can stomach some more fictional blood.
Come On, ‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ Can Handle More Violence|Sujay Kumar|November 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Government disclaimed any vague totalitarianism and instead clarified its zone of functioning through the use of law.
Government in Republican China|Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger
As the global democratic revolution has put totalitarianism on the defensive, we have left behind the days of retreat.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various
Almost 50 years ago, we began a long struggle against aggressive totalitarianism.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various

Cultural definitions for totalitarianism

totalitarianism

[ (toh-tal-uh-tair-ee-uh-niz-uhm) ]

Domination by a government of all political, social, and economic activities in a nation. Totalitarianism is a phenomenon of the twentieth century: earlier forms of despotism and autocracy lacked the technical capacity to control every aspect of life. The term is applied both to fascist governments (see fascism) and to many forms of communism.

totalitarianism

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Origin of totalitarianism

OTHER WORDS FROM totalitarianism

Words nearby totalitarianism

Words related to totalitarianism

How to use totalitarianism in a sentence

Cultural definitions for totalitarianism