fascism

noun

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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Other Words from fascism

fascist \ ˈfa-shist

also -sist \ noun or adjective often capitalized

fascistic \ fa-ˈshi-stik

also -ˈsi- \ adjective often capitalized

fascistically \ fa-ˈshi-sti-k(ə-)lē

also -ˈsi- \ adverb often capitalized

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

Alex Film Society Charlie Chaplin was well ahead of the U.S. government's official condemnation of Adolf Hitler with his 1940 anti-fascism satire, The Great Dictator. — Kathleen Craughwell, latimes.com, "The Moviegoer, April 15-22," 13 Apr. 2018 When the Spanish Civil War began, in 1936, fascism was on the march across Europe, as a new breed of strongman leader emerged from the horrors and economic ravages of the First World War and the Great Depression. — Matías Costa, Smithsonian, "The Battle Over the Memory of the Spanish Civil War," 28 June 2018 But after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Freedoms were transformed into a rationale for the battle against fascism. — J.s. Marcus, WSJ, "In New York, Rockwell’s Vision of FDR’s ‘Freedoms’," 12 May 2018 On Neruda’s return to his country in 1939, with Europe falling to another kind of fascism, he was greeted on the docks by grateful refugees chanting his name. — Benjamin Kunkel, The New Republic, "The partisan world of Pablo Neruda," 2 July 2018 There is no reason to believe Mr. Netanyahu has altered his intentions, which are rooted deeply in his conception of himself as a Churchillian figure mounting a lonely effort to warn the world against a resurgence of fascism. — William A. Galston, WSJ, "Bibi Is Bent on Taking On Iran Alone," 5 June 2018 Thus Chambon-sur-Lignon, linked to Protestant aid networks in the United States and Switzerland, was ready for the victims of fascism. — Lucian Perkins, Smithsonian, "This French Town Has Welcomed Refugees for 400 Years," 27 June 2018 In other words, socialism or fascism. The choice may not be so stark, however. — Caleb Crain, The New Yorker, "Is Capitalism a Threat to Democracy?," 7 May 2018 This pick, for a poet who was manifestly guilty of fascism and treason, was widely criticized in the press and provoked bitter feuds. — Jeet Heer, The New Republic, "Is Kanye West “the Ezra Pound of Rap”?," 30 Apr. 2018

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