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totalism

noun

ˈtō-tᵊl-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce totalism (audio)
Definition of totalismnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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
  1. tyranny
  2. fascism
  3. dictatorship
  4. totalitarianism
  5. absolutism
  6. authoritarianism
Noun
  • And Ric Salinas, who plays Chachalacani, humorously obliges, bringing his Culture Clash vaudeville skills to the role of the sentry who’s caught between the rock of Klion’s tyranny and his fellow feeling for Antíkona’s sympathetic cause.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Focus Features has the Andrew Garfield period movie The Uprising from Paul Greengrass which is based on the legend of Robin Hood in his crusade against King Richard II’s tyranny.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of tyranny
Noun
  • At least a million soldiers fighting in the British and French armies against fascism were Muslims.
    — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In Conversation What Wiemar Germany’s theater can teach us about artistic expression in the shadow of rising fascism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of fascism
Noun
  • In those years many Latin American countries had repressive governments, military coups, dictatorships, and undeclared wars against the poor and the indigenous population, which were backed by the CIA in the context of the Cold War.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In Peru under dictatorship, two of three long-time lovers marry for appearances but flee from their conservative rural community for the capital after their secret is exposed by the third.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of dictatorship
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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Cite this Entry

“Totalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totalism. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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