as in oppressive
controlling the people of a country in a very strict way with complete power that cannot be opposed
A totalitarian state that did not even allow outsiders to visit.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in authoritarian
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Recent Examples of totalitarian
David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
For much of the Chinese public, the current state violence is a continuation of the more totalitarian repression suffered under Mao Zedong from the early 1950s through the decadelong Cultural Revolution, which ended with Mao’s death in 1976.
—Peidong Sun, Foreign Affairs, 25 Dec. 2024
Néstor T. Carbonell, National Review, 16 July 2021
And there’s another reason why totalitarians capable of horrific human rights violations are a real hosting nightmare.
—Sarah Todd, Quartz, 27 Dec. 2019
See all Example Sentences for totalitarian 
Adjective
For those who choose to join a totalitarian party run by billionaires, who would rather make lives harder for seniors, vets, medically vulnerable & working class than pay their share of taxes.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
For much of the Chinese public, the current state violence is a continuation of the more totalitarian repression suffered under Mao Zedong from the early 1950s through the decadelong Cultural Revolution, which ended with Mao’s death in 1976.
—Peidong Sun, Foreign Affairs, 25 Dec. 2024
Noun
But that would not address the fundamental goal of the protests: to end the totalitarian stranglehold that has subjected the Cubans to an unbearable serfdom.
—Néstor T. Carbonell, National Review, 16 July 2021
And there’s another reason why totalitarians capable of horrific human rights violations are a real hosting nightmare.
—Sarah Todd, Quartz, 27 Dec. 2019
See all Example Sentences for totalitarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totalitarian
Adjective
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Jimmy Garoppolo profited from exposure to 49ers’ system The Commanders, thankfully shorn of the oppressive incompetence of former owner Daniel Snyder, were remade in a year by G.M. Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2025
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The book, taking the form of a fable told in short, single paragraphs, scattershot swatches of wisdom, aphorisms and illustrations, has long been a manual for how to practice togetherness in the face of extreme, oppressive opposition.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In this paradigm, the ideal worker is less like a corporate ally or a trusted collaborator and more like a subject of an authoritarian regime.—
Anna Wiener,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
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Over the past decade, during which the authoritarian Law and Justice party has ruled in Poland, the Centre has served as a staunch defender of independent research.—
Natalia Romik / Madę by History,
TIME,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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A number of sports potentates will be making the Idaho scene, at a moment when tens of billions of dollars are changing hands in pursuit of ever-valuable rights.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
10 July 2024
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By cracking the whip on local potentates, the party bolsters its already substantial public support and reinforces the power of central institutions.—
Dali Yang,
Foreign Affairs,
13 June 2017
Noun
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Production in the world’s second-largest garment manufacturer was repeatedly stalled by the months-long violence, before protesters forced long-time autocrat Sheikh Hasina to flee in August.—
Chloe Berger,
Fortune Asia,
9 Jan. 2025
-
The country’s autocrat, Nicolás Maduro, is set to be sworn in for a third term as president on Friday.—
Julie Turkewitz,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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His fervor against communism, which was gaining a foothold in nearby Cuba, made the ruthless dictator and his son U.S. allies.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
-
In fact, past experience as a brutal dictator seems to be an important qualification, as both Khan Noonien Singh and Philippa Georgiou have made it past Section 31's vetting procedures.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Be realistic, however: Talk such as Trump’s could be very useful to those expansionist, rapacious tyrants.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
15 Jan. 2025
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Sharon Stone plays a gunfighter who ends up in a town called Redemption, ruled with iron fist by a tyrant played by Gene Hackman.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Totalitarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totalitarian. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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