totalitarianism

noun

(ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce totalitarianism (audio)
Definition of totalitarianismnext
as in tyranny
a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power in times of crisis, when a nation's people are frightened, there are often calls for totalitarianism

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of totalitarianism Unconstitutional federal totalitarianism results in 54 million man-years each year of tax slavery, exponentiating $40 trillion in national debt, and behemoth corrupt federal socialism. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 5 May 2026 Another totalitarianism, so recently an ally, was already on the march. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026 The standards for the totalitarianism course between the Walters’ 2025 version and the 2026 version are identical, and the standards of the Ancient and Medieval World History course are similar, but leave several items out. — Beth Wallis, StateImpact, 24 Apr. 2026 While the Russian government has taken steps in the past to acknowledge the culpability of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and his regime, some Russian-language commentators see the display as a massive step back toward denying the crimes of totalitarianism. — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for totalitarianism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totalitarianism
  1. tyranny
  2. fascism
  3. dictatorship
  4. authoritarianism
Noun
  • But, as Roy points out, finding love with Ellen actually gives Brian the strength to stand up to Lovat’s tyranny rather than bow to it.
    — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Lawmakers from Fidesz and its coalition party, the Christian Democrats, did not take part in Monday’s vote, calling the charges against their lawmakers political tyranny by Magyar’s government.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of tyranny
Noun
  • Through the character of Señorita Rio, Renée was able to combat fascism and showcase fabulous fashion.
    — Gaby Iori October 7, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Many immigrants who arrived in the United States from Europe, including some Italians who came during the two years between Mussolini’s March on Rome and the passage of the Immigration Act of 1924, left Italy because of the rise of fascism.
    — Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of fascism
Noun
  • The Iranian revolution, the North Korean dictatorship, the Palestinians held hostage by Hamas, the Lebanese held hostage by Hezbollah, the Taliban in Afganistan, The Chinese firewall, all of them share the same failure mode.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Public executions are what oppressive dictatorships like Iran and Afghanistan do.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dictatorship
Noun
  • But our survey respondents’ subsequent shift toward national identity, coupled with a further decline in mosque attendance, suggest that Erdogan’s turn toward authoritarianism may have intensified an ongoing trend toward liberalization.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Critics see a once-lively multiethnic crossroads suffocated by Chinese authoritarianism.
    — David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of authoritarianism

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Cite this Entry

“Totalitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totalitarianism. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on totalitarianism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about totalitarianism

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