totalitarian

¹to·tal·i·tar·i·an

adjective \(ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ən\

Definition of TOTALITARIAN

1

a : of or relating to centralized control by an autocratic leader or hierarchy : authoritarian, dictatorial; especially : despotic

b : of or relating to a political regime based on subordination of the individual to the state and strict control of all aspects of the life and productive capacity of the nation especially by coercive measures (as censorship and terrorism)

2

a : advocating or characteristic of totalitarianism

b : completely regulated by the state especially as an aid to national mobilization in an emergency

c : exercising autocratic powers

Origin of TOTALITARIAN

Italian totalitario, from totalità totality

First Known Use: 1926

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with TOTALITARIAN

abecedarian, Austro-Hungarian, authoritarian, communitarian, disciplinarian, documentarian, egalitarian, humanitarian, majoritarian, nonagenarian, octogenarian, parliamentarian, postmillenarian, premillenarian, predestinarian, sexagenarian, utilitarian, veterinarian

²totalitarian

noun

Definition of TOTALITARIAN

: an advocate or practitioner of totalitarianism

First Known Use of TOTALITARIAN

circa 1934

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism