totalitarianism
noun
to·tal·i·tar·i·an·ism
(ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 
1
: centralized control by an autocratic authority
2
: the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority
Synonyms
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
The specter of nuclear annihilation loomed only dimly in his thoughts, but Kennan recognized that competition with Soviet totalitarianism held immeasurable risks.
—
Richard Babcock, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2024
Many of us see Israel’s war against Hamas as the same battle (albeit on a smaller scale, at least at this point) that took place between the Allies and the Nazis, even down to their tyrannical totalitarianism and their virulent antisemitism.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024
The United States claimed to be waging a war against tyranny and totalitarianism.
—Gary Younge, The New York Review of Books, 28 Sep. 2023
Many of the series’ portrayals lack the extensive emotion needed to carry a show centering on the horrors of genocide, war and totalitarianism.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024
These thinkers worried that by embracing ideals of emancipation and continual improvement, liberalism could devolve into totalitarianism.
—Helena Rosenblatt, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
In the few cities where memorials exist to past victims of Russian totalitarianism, these monuments became the destinations.
—Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024
June should be revered and celebrated for America freeing the world from totalitarianism during WWII, not insanity.
—For Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2024
But people have to realize that totalitarianism in Cuba is overwhelming.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 20 June 2023
Richard Babcock, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2024
Many of us see Israel’s war against Hamas as the same battle (albeit on a smaller scale, at least at this point) that took place between the Allies and the Nazis, even down to their tyrannical totalitarianism and their virulent antisemitism.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024
The United States claimed to be waging a war against tyranny and totalitarianism.
—Gary Younge, The New York Review of Books, 28 Sep. 2023
Many of the series’ portrayals lack the extensive emotion needed to carry a show centering on the horrors of genocide, war and totalitarianism.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024
These thinkers worried that by embracing ideals of emancipation and continual improvement, liberalism could devolve into totalitarianism.
—Helena Rosenblatt, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
In the few cities where memorials exist to past victims of Russian totalitarianism, these monuments became the destinations.
—Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024
June should be revered and celebrated for America freeing the world from totalitarianism during WWII, not insanity.
—For Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2024
But people have to realize that totalitarianism in Cuba is overwhelming.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 20 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'totalitarianism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to totalitarianism
Dictionary Entries Near totalitarianism
Cite this Entry
“Totalitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totalitarianism. Accessed 15 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share