totalitarianism

noun

(ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce totalitarianism (audio)
Definition of totalitarianismnext
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

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 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 See All Example Sentences for totalitarianism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totalitarianism
  1. tyranny
  2. fascism
  3. dictatorship
  4. authoritarianism
Noun
  • 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
  • While Queen Romana projected the image of a supreme ruler who alternated between benevolence and tyranny, Didulo the person was all too human.
    — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of tyranny
Noun
  • Those who advocate for and support communism, fascism and national socialism might do well to remember that millions fled those countries governed by the aforementioned ideologies for America, the good, ol’ USA.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The city is most associated with two things, European high culture and the rise of fascism.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of fascism
Noun
  • In 2021, the SAF and RSF worked together to overthrow the civilian Cabinet that was overseeing Sudan’s transition to democracy after 30 years of dictatorship under Omar al-Bashir.
    — Mat Nashed, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Not by tightening the siege on Iran directly, but by tightening the siege on those who help this regime, this terrible dictatorship.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of dictatorship
Noun
  • Another speaker drew attention to the alarming rise of authoritarianism in the United States.
    — David Pollak, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Gao Brothers, whose works addressed themes of authoritarianism and censorship, became famous in a time of relative openness in China and were exhibited both inside the country and abroad.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of authoritarianism

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totalitarian
totalitarianism
totalitarians
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Cite this Entry

“Totalitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totalitarianism. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on totalitarianism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about totalitarianism

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