totalitarianism

American  

[toh-tal-i-tair-ee-uh-niz-uhm] / toʊˌtæl ɪˈtɛər i əˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. the practices and principles of a totalitarian regime.

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

3. the character or quality of an autocratic or authoritarian individual, group, or government.

   the totalitarianism of the father.

---

totalitarianism Cultural  

1. 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.

---

Other Word Forms

• totalitarianist noun

Etymology

Origin of totalitarianism

First recorded in 1920–25; totalitarian + -ism

Compare meaning

How does totalitarianism compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• fascism vs. totalitarianism
• totalitarianism vs. dictatorship

Example Sentences

Whereas authoritarianism may leave society outside the political realm more or less intact, totalitarianism makes a total claim on civil society.

From Salon • Jun. 22, 2025

As the great student of totalitarianism Hannah Arendt explained, freedom and democracy depend on being able to tell the difference between facts and falsehoods.

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2025

The King said their efforts to end "brutal totalitarianism" must never be forgotten.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2024

Watch the moment Irish author Paul Lynch won the 2023 Booker Prize for Prophet Song, a dystopian vision of Ireland in the grips of totalitarianism.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2023

I speak of the startling hope of giving our children a future free of both totalitarianism and nuclear terror.

From State of the Union Address by Reagan, Ronald

Related Words

• authoritarianism
• autocracy
• despotism
• tyranny