big government

noun

variants or Big Government
chiefly US
: government that is regarded as infringing upon the rights of individual citizens because of its extensive bureaucracy and intrusive regulations and policies
Big government, in the minds of many Americans, had become the problem, not the solution.Tom Morganthau
Especially coming from a Republican, the Hyde proposals smack uncharacteristically of Big Government, critics say.John Cloud

Examples of big government in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This administration might be skeptical of both big government and climate science, but that ideology can be bent for the right backers. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025 But his rapid consolidation of power has unnerved liberals, institutionalists and even some Republicans who are skeptical of big government. Zachary Basu, Axios, 21 Jan. 2025 Their staying power is in part the result of big government. Benji Jones, Vox, 28 Jan. 2025 The conservative television host framed environmental protection for the smelt as big government gone wrong in California and everything wrong with liberalism. Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big government

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of big government was in 1925

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Cite this Entry

“Big government.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20government. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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