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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Recent Examples of totalitarianism
Despite a propaganda campaign encouraging all Americans to come together and do their part to defeat the Axis and totalitarianism, the U.S. military remained rigidly segregated with people of color subjugated into subordinate roles and Black soldiers discriminated against abroad and at home.
—
Tracie Canada / Made By History, TIME, 1 Jan. 2025
Orwell had robust opinions on totalitarianism, surveillance, censorship and class struggle.
—Will Noble, CNN, 23 Nov. 2024
And yet, though unseen by even his own son for years, Lai has become the global face of conscience rights in its perpetual struggle against totalitarianism.
—Ashley McGuire, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024
Rasoulof has talked about purposefully making his films less allegorical as his career has progressed, preferring to present his stories about oppression and totalitarianism plainly, so that his resentments are indisputable.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for totalitarianism 
Tracie Canada / Made By History, TIME, 1 Jan. 2025
Orwell had robust opinions on totalitarianism, surveillance, censorship and class struggle.
—Will Noble, CNN, 23 Nov. 2024
And yet, though unseen by even his own son for years, Lai has become the global face of conscience rights in its perpetual struggle against totalitarianism.
—Ashley McGuire, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024
Rasoulof has talked about purposefully making his films less allegorical as his career has progressed, preferring to present his stories about oppression and totalitarianism plainly, so that his resentments are indisputable.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for totalitarianism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totalitarianism
Noun
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However since then, the 43-year-old has had a disdain for the rapper, as she’s excitedly backed K. Dot’s tyranny against Drake.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
10 Feb. 2025
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But the people in Gaza shouldn’t have to pay for a tyranny that rules over them with an iron fist.—
Hen Mazzig,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Did defeating the Nazis spur the Allies to a golden age of justice or rid the world of fascism?—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
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The movement, which has gained traction on social media, brands itself as a fight against fascism.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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When Johnson Sirleaf came to power, in 2006, Liberia had been wracked by more than a decade of civil war, a military dictatorship, and chronic poverty.—
John Cassidy,
The New Yorker,
8 Feb. 2025
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If allowed to proceed, Trump's purge of our federal law enforcement workforce will expose America to authoritarianism and dictatorship.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
3 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Totalitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totalitarianism. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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