Gleichschaltung

noun

Gleich·schal·tung

ˈglīḵˌshäl(ˌ)tu̇ŋ,

-təŋ

plural Gleichschaltungen

-ˌtu̇ŋən,

-təŋ-

: the act, process, or policy of achieving rigid and total coordination and uniformity (as in politics, culture, communication) by forcibly repressing or eliminating independence and freedom of thought, action, or expression : forced reduction to a common level : forced standardization or assimilation

brutal Gleichschaltung by police methods

the political Gleichschaltung of a reluctant adult population—

Reinhard Bendix

Word History

Etymology

German, coordination, from gleichschalten to coordinate, from gleich equally, alike (from Old High German gilīcho, adverb of gilīh equal, alike) + schalten to govern, direct, from Old High German scaltan to push; akin to Old Saxon skaldan to shove (a boat), Old High German scalta boathook, Old Norse skalda ferryboat, Greek skallein to hoe

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gleichschaltung.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Gleichschaltung. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation