TOTALISM Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

totalism

noun

ˈtō-tᵊl-ˌi-zəm

Definition of totalism

as in tyranny

a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power warned that forfeiture of civil liberties for the sake of security would only result in the terror of totalism

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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 totalism Common sense and a mania for systematization, logical thinking and ideological totalism, are constantly at war in the French character, as a belief in instant happiness and a paranoia about imaginary enemies are in the American. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for totalism

Noun

With neither reality nor imagination offering an escape from tyranny, the film asks whether hope, memory and love can persevere when war threatens to extinguish them all.

— Alexandra Patterson, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Now, researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have thwarted that tyranny even more profoundly, by devising an ultra-fast way to steer light, using light itself as the steering wheel.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of tyranny

Noun

Most often, socialism morphs into totalitarianism, as its egalitarian ideals are no match for human nature.

— Nolan Finley The Detroit News, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Interesting, too, how the project’s warnings about Russian totalitarianism, particularly stark in DAU.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of totalitarianism

Noun

Their agenda was backward-looking, morally coercive, and steeped in righteous absolutism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
The meta story of Life of M’s creation — how Cusk ignored decorum in favor of artistic absolutism — is perhaps the most intriguing element of this saga.

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of absolutism

Noun

The Oscar winner took a walk down memory lane to detail how many artists and collaborators lifted him up on his journey while also taking aim at authoritarianism.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
The thing needed, even in the days of galloping authoritarianism, is to cut the Court down to size.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of authoritarianism

Browse Nearby Words

totaling

totalism

totalitarian

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“Totalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totalism. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of totalism

noun

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