totalitarianism

noun

to·​tal·​i·​tar·​i·​an·​ism (ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce totalitarianism (audio)
1
: centralized control by an autocratic authority
2
: the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority

Examples of totalitarianism in a Sentence

in times of crisis, when a nation's people are frightened, there are often calls for totalitarianism
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.
Mann understood the appeal of totalitarianism early on. George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024 In 1984, Apple released a TV ad suggesting that its new Macintosh would topple Orwellian totalitarianism. Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 In an interview with Variety at the time of the film’s premiere at Cannes, Lawrence explained how the impetus for her involvement came from seeing news of Kabul’s fall and finding similarities to her own home country’s spiral towards totalitarianism. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2024 Reagan was one of the country’s great statesmen who prevailed in a titanic struggle between totalitarianism and freedom. Rich Lowry, National Review, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for totalitarianism 

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of totalitarianism was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near totalitarianism

Cite this Entry

“Totalitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totalitarianism. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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