totalism

noun

to·​tal·​ism ˈtō-tᵊl-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce totalism (audio)
totalistic adjective
or less commonly totalist

Examples of totalism in a Sentence

warned that forfeiture of civil liberties for the sake of security would only result in the terror of totalism
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Common sense and a mania for systematization, logical thinking and ideological totalism, are constantly at war in the French character, as a belief in instant happiness and a paranoia about imaginary enemies are in the American. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of totalism was in 1941

Dictionary Entries Near totalism

Cite this Entry

“Totalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totalism. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!