Synonyms of totalitarianism

totalitarianism

noun

(ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

as in tyranny

a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power

in times of crisis, when a nation's people are frightened, there are often calls for totalitarianism

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tyranny
• fascism
• dictatorship
• Communism
• authoritarianism
• autocracy
• despotism
• absolutism
• totalism
• monarchy
• Caesarism
• autarchy
• oppression
• Nazism
• czarism
• domination
• monarchism
• monocracy
• Big Brother
• Big Brotherism

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• democracy
• freedom
• self-government
• self-rule
• self-governance
• autonomy
• sovereignty
• self-determination

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of totalitarianism

The standards for the totalitarianism course between the Walters’ 2025 version and the 2026 version are identical, and the standards of the Ancient and Medieval World History course are similar, but leave several items out. — Beth Wallis, StateImpact, 24 Apr. 2026

While the Russian government has taken steps in the past to acknowledge the culpability of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and his regime, some Russian-language commentators see the display as a massive step back toward denying the crimes of totalitarianism. — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026

American freedom was the antidote to the icy grip of totalitarianism, whether from Nazis or Communists. — Peter S. Canellos, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026

Jury President Wim Wenders praised the film for its portrait of life under totalitarianism saying the story would chime with and serve as a wakeup call for people all over the world. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 21 Feb. 2026