as in tyranny
a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power
concerning absolutism Lord Acton famously observed that "absolute power corrupts absolutely"
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of absolutism
So the same establishment that had once helped push a Qajar shah toward constitutionalism helped pull a Pahlavi shah back from exile and back into absolutism.
—
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Social media, ideological sorting, and the emotional intensity of war encourage absolutism.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
The Talmud teaches that Jerusalem was destroyed not only because of hatred, but because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred fueled by moral absolutism.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
As Perez wrote, Musk’s free-speech absolutism was a fiction perpetuated by a pliant media.
—Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolutism
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Social media, ideological sorting, and the emotional intensity of war encourage absolutism.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
The Talmud teaches that Jerusalem was destroyed not only because of hatred, but because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred fueled by moral absolutism.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
As Perez wrote, Musk’s free-speech absolutism was a fiction perpetuated by a pliant media.
—Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolutism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolutism
Noun
-
First, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced the end of vaccination requirements in his state, emphasizing the tyranny of basic public health.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
North Korea remains a close ally, rigidly committed to traditional communist tyranny.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Leo has been emphasizing a message of hope for youths in Spain, a once overwhelmingly Catholic country that experienced a religious crisis after its 20th century dictatorship ended and democracy took root.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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Portugal is a good example—after the dictatorship ended in 1974, there was a push to modernize, and many traditional crafts weren’t passed down.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
Noun
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President Roosevelt also led the United States through the Second World War, mobilizing the Nation after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and serving as Commander-in-Chief throughout the Allied effort to defeat Nazism and fascism.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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The famous star of stage and screen was an outspoken opponent of fascism before World War II, devoting his time and money to relief groups aiding victims of Nazi Germany.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
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His dream was nothing less than a new reality, a hopeful future free of despotism, ruled by equality and liberty, rather than kings and queens.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The book circles political concerns that remain relevant today, including empire, caste prejudice, and the dangers of despotism and corruption.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Noun
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The good ones who are trying to carefully transition a country from democracy to autocracy don't do it overnight.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
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Once in office, Putin installed Vadim as an adviser to help consolidate his administration into an autocracy responsible for the suppression of civil liberties, for wars in Chechnya and Ukraine, and for a campaign of disinformation and interference in Western democracies.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Other World Cup tournaments were far from flawless, from the authoritarianism of Russia in 2018 and the human rights concerns of Qatar in 2022, right back to the tournaments held under Mussolini’s Italy in 1934 and Argentina’s junta in 1978.—
Abigail Williams,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
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Similar charges were leveled against several other rival candidates ahead of the election, spurring accusations of authoritarianism and corruption against Pashinyan’s government.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2026
Noun
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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
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His parents’ experience living under totalitarianism shaped his outlook on the world.—
Iris Kwok
May 12,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absolutism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolutism. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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