totalitarian

1 of 2

adjective

to·​tal·​i·​tar·​i·​an (ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce totalitarian (audio)
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 (such 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

totalitarian

2 of 2

noun

: an advocate or practitioner of totalitarianism

Examples of totalitarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
In the age of the great Stalinist purges, this is the plunge of a man into the corridors of a totalitarian regime that does not bear said name. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 24 June 2025 What is a totalitarian leader other than an individualist taking that creed to its cruel conclusions, erasing the uniqueness of every other person into mere characters in a drama? Ed Simon june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Noun
His personal goal was surely the vanity of wanting to have never been wrong and the superpower of always being right—George Orwell speaks of the theological nature of totalitarians, who must constantly alter the past to claim to be always right in the present. Rebecca Solnit april 29, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2021 Ridicule only appeals to cool kids on coasts and the college towns and totalitarians. Letters To The Editor, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2020 See All Example Sentences for totalitarian

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Italian totalitario, from totalità totality

First Known Use

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of totalitarian was in 1926

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Totalitarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totalitarian. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

totalitarian

adjective
to·​tal·​i·​tar·​i·​an
(ˌ)tō-ˌtal-ə-ˈter-ē-ən
: of or relating to a political system in which the government has complete control over the people
totalitarianism
-ē-ə-ˌniz-əm
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on totalitarian

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