fascism

fas·cism | \ ˈfa-ˌshi-zəm also ˈfa-ˌsi-

Definition of fascism

1 often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

2 : a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control early instances of army fascism and brutality— J. W. Aldridge

Other Words from fascism The Italian Origin of Fascism More Example Sentences Learn More about fascism

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The Italian Origin of Fascism

The English words fascism and fascist are borrowings from Italian fascismo and fascista, derivatives of fascio (plural fasci), “bundle, fasces, group.” Fascista was first used in 1914 to refer to members of a fascio, or political group. In 1919, fascista was applied to the black-shirted members of Benito Mussolini’s organization, the Fasci di combattimento (“combat groups”), who seized power in Italy in 1922. Playing on the word fascista, Mussolini’s party adopted the fasces, a bundle of rods with an ax among them, as a symbol of the Italian people united and obedient to the single authority of the state. The English word fascist was first used for members of Mussolini’s fascisti, but it has since been generalized to those of similar beliefs.

Examples of fascism in a Sentence

From the first hours of Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union, the propagandists on both sides of the conflict portrayed the struggle in stark, Manichaean language. The totalitarian nature of both regimes made this inevitable. On one side stood Hitler, fascism, the myth of German supremacy; on the other side stood Stalin, communism, and the international proletarian revolution. — Anne Applebaum, New York Review of Books, 25 Oct. 2007 Consider what happened during the crisis of global fascism. At first, even the truth about Hitler was inconvenient. Many in the west hoped the danger would simply go away. — Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006 He collected stories about groups similar to his—Aryans, other Nazis, the KKK. Lately, he'd been flagging many stories from Germany and Eastern Europe, and was quite thrilled with the rise of fascism there. — John Grisham, The Chamber, 1995 the rise of Fascism in Europe before World War II

Recent Examples on the Web The East defined itself in the tradition of communists who had resisted fascism, giving rise to a state doctrine of remembrance that effectively exculpated it from wartime atrocities. — Katrin Bennhold, New York Times, "Germany Has Been Unified for 30 Years. Its Identity Still Is Not.," 9 Nov. 2019 The book is a psychedelic epic about climate change and forever war; capitalism and surveillance; gun violence and police brutality; fascism and genocide; diaspora, mental illness, gender, and the occult. — Hannah Aizenman, The New Yorker, "The Apocalyptic Visions of Ariana Reines," 23 Oct. 2019 Topical when released, Cuarón’s film is a visionary masterpiece that feels torn from today’s headlines with its damning depiction of neo-fascism, mass deportations and the caging of immigrants. — Caitlin Mullen, chicagotribune.com, "Shout Out: Dan Dinello, filmmaker, author of books about movies, popular culture," 22 Oct. 2019 Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history at New York University who focuses on authoritarians, fascism, and propaganda, told Quartz. — Annalisa Merelli, Quartz India, "Every authoritarian ruler has wanted a “new” Delhi. Modi’s only the latest," 7 Oct. 2019 Supporters groups from both Portland and Seattle, which have displayed the symbol on flags and banners for many years, say the symbol represents opposition to fascism and persecution, human rights issues. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Revolution gets late penalty kick for 2-2 draw with Portland," 25 Sep. 2019 The satire of nationalism and fascism is sadly quite relevant still. — Adam Epstein, Quartzy, "A complete guide to the best 2019 fall movies," 14 Sep. 2019 Supporters' groups maintain the symbol represents opposition to fascism and persecution—a human rights issue, not a political stance. — Charlotte Carroll, SI.com, "Timbers Army, Other Fans Protest MLS Ban on Political Displays at Sounders Game," 23 Aug. 2019 Mussolini and Hitler slipped their countries into fascism and Nazism with the consent and willingness of their many sycophants and supporters. — Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, "Letter: US at greater risk of becoming a fascist state than socialist," 20 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fascism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for fascism

fascism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of fascism

: a way of organizing a society in which a government ruled by a dictator controls the lives of the people and in which people are not allowed to disagree with the government

: very harsh control or authority

See the full definition for fascism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fascism

noun, often capitalized

fas·cism | \ ˈfa-ˌshi-zəm