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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of totalitarianism
Communism and other forms of totalitarianism are often said to be antihuman.
—
Rich Lowry, National Review, 19 May 2025
George Orwell himself has gone in and out of favor over the revisionist years, but the British author’s searing insights into empire and power and totalitarianism have never lost relevance.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
But, as Peck believes, Orwell has wrongly been interpreted as relevant only to an earlier time of Stalinist totalitarianism.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Live Not By Lies, a new documentary series released by Angel Studios, is warning against contemporary western culture’s love for comfort, safety, and security as a disguise for totalitarianism’s political entrance.
—Heather Hamilton, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totalitarianism
Rich Lowry, National Review, 19 May 2025
George Orwell himself has gone in and out of favor over the revisionist years, but the British author’s searing insights into empire and power and totalitarianism have never lost relevance.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
But, as Peck believes, Orwell has wrongly been interpreted as relevant only to an earlier time of Stalinist totalitarianism.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Live Not By Lies, a new documentary series released by Angel Studios, is warning against contemporary western culture’s love for comfort, safety, and security as a disguise for totalitarianism’s political entrance.
—Heather Hamilton, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totalitarianism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totalitarianism
Noun
-
Just days after the sadness at Annunciation, the feeling outside the church of doing something was palpable, not the endless tyranny of hoping somebody else does something.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
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Due process is what stands between individuals and tyranny.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At a time when contentious words dominate our conversations—think insurrection and fascism and fake news and woke—the need for dictionaries to chronicle and explain language, and serve as its watchdog, has never been greater.—
Stefan Fatsis,
The Atlantic,
13 Sep. 2025
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The game has been viewed as a tongue in cheek critique of military dictatorships, with references to fascism and colonialism.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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No, a dictatorship is not the same as democracy.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
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First, the Chavist regime of Nicolás Maduro is not operating like a real state or even a classic dictatorship.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And when liberalism seems weak and people are impatient for change, authoritarianism or anarchism can seem suitable alternatives to many.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Sep. 2025
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Key components of authoritarianism include rejecting democratic rules; denying the legitimacy of opponents; tolerating or encouraging political violence; and curtailing the civil liberties of opponents.—
Karrin Vasby Anderson,
The Conversation,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totalitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totalitarianism. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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