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
The book, which was written in 1948, focuses on the consequences of totalitarianism, the government’s mass surveillance of the public and how truth and fact can be manipulated.
—
Rachel Flynn, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for totalitarianism
Rachel Flynn, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for totalitarianism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totalitarianism
Noun
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In a functioning American democracy, the separation of powers serves as a vital safeguard against tyranny.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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America was forged in the blood and fire of rejecting tyranny; its institutions were meticulously formed around the principle that we would never be ruled by a king.—
Maureen Dowd,
The Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Here’s a Brazilian film about fighting fascism at home with big and small acts of resistance.—
Cristina Escobar,
refinery29.com,
3 Mar. 2025
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From fraught talk of cultural fascism to economic critiques of the entertainment industry, honorees and their peers predicted an uncertain but fiery future for filmmakers, cast, and crew.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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That is quite an achievement for a film which is certainly not a popcorn movie, recording the real-life story of Eunice Pavia and her reinvention of herself and rebuilding of her family after her husband, Rubens Pavia, an opponent of Brazil’s military dictatorship, disappeared after arrest in 1971.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2025
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The movie recounts the experiences of Eunice Paiva and her family after her husband Rubens Paiva was taken into custody during the country’s military dictatorship.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
3 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to totalitarianism
Cite this Entry
“Totalitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totalitarianism. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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