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 Interesting, too, how the project’s warnings about Russian totalitarianism, particularly stark in DAU. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 Visual artist and historian Ranfis Suárez Ramos highlighted the importance of internet access for Cubans as a way to break the hold of totalitarianism. — Sarah Moreno june 5, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026 His parents’ experience living under totalitarianism shaped his outlook on the world. — Iris Kwok may 12, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for totalitarianism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totalitarianism
  1. tyranny
  2. fascism
  3. dictatorship
  4. authoritarianism
Noun
  • All men recognize the right of revolution; that is, the right to refuse allegiance to, and to resist, the government, when its tyranny or its inefficiency are great and unendurable.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • As such, Gulliver’s Travels is nothing less than the foundational critique of the Enlightenment’s excesses, hypocrisies, and hidden tyrannies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of tyranny
Noun
  • There’s cheering approval for Adolf Hitler and fascism in general.
    — Nathan Taylor Pemberton, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Germany lost its status in science in the 1930s when many leading physicists fled from fascism.
    — Mattanjah de Vries, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of fascism
Noun
  • His raspy voice, his beard, his missing finger and the cadence of his speech have been fixtures of Brazilian public life since Brazil’s first direct presidential election after the dictatorship ended in 1985.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
  • This strategy is unlikely to work on liberal Israelis, who view this election as the last chance to save their homeland from sliding into dictatorship.
    — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of dictatorship
Noun
  • While everyday Democrats threw their hands up in the air and wondered what on earth was happening, Garland’s Justice Department hemmed and hawed about staying impartial, objective, and neutral in the face of violent authoritarianism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The convergence of young people’s anger over education and employment, fears of authoritarianism, and concern for the sanctity of the vote poses a serious challenge to the Modi government.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 24 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on totalitarianism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about totalitarianism

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