totalitarianism

noun

to·​tal·​i·​tar·​i·​an·​ism (ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

1

: centralized control by an autocratic authority

2

: the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority

Synonyms

• absolutism
• autarchy
• authoritarianism
• autocracy
• Caesarism
• czarism
• tsarism
• tzarism
• despotism
• dictatorship
• totalism
• tyranny

Examples of totalitarianism in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which is now on the verge of dissolution, the U.S. had funded 40% of the world’s foreign assistance, including programs designed to combat disease, malnutrition, maternal mortality, totalitarianism, and climate change. —Belinda Luscombe, Time, 30 Apr. 2025

Forgotten Anne, for example, makes arguments against authoritarianism and totalitarianism. —G Kirilloff, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

The task of our generation is to defeat the totalitarianisms of the 21st century. —Claude Malhuret, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025

Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty notably helped spread American culture and news during the Cold War, undermining totalitarianism. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for totalitarianism

• antiquarianism
• congregationalism
• constitutionalism
• cosmopolitanism
• electromagnetism
• environmentalism
• epicureanism
• evangelicalism
• experimentalism
• hyperparathyroidism
• hypoparathyroidism
• individualism