totalitarianism
noun
to·tal·i·tar·i·an·ism
(ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 
1
: centralized control by an autocratic authority
2
: the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority
Synonyms
Examples of totalitarianism in a Sentence
in times of crisis, when a nation's people are frightened, there are often calls for totalitarianism
Recent Examples on the Web
And Ukraine is showing the question of how durable Western values are; whether the liberties and values of our Western democracy are something that will last — or whether totalitarianism, as exhibited for example in Putin's Russia — will win.
—
Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 20 May 2024
The specter of nuclear annihilation loomed only dimly in his thoughts, but Kennan recognized that competition with Soviet totalitarianism held immeasurable risks.
—Richard Babcock, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2024
Many of us see Israel’s war against Hamas as the same battle (albeit on a smaller scale, at least at this point) that took place between the Allies and the Nazis, even down to their tyrannical totalitarianism and their virulent antisemitism.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024
The United States claimed to be waging a war against tyranny and totalitarianism.
—Gary Younge, The New York Review of Books, 28 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for totalitarianism 
Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 20 May 2024
The specter of nuclear annihilation loomed only dimly in his thoughts, but Kennan recognized that competition with Soviet totalitarianism held immeasurable risks.
—Richard Babcock, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2024
Many of us see Israel’s war against Hamas as the same battle (albeit on a smaller scale, at least at this point) that took place between the Allies and the Nazis, even down to their tyrannical totalitarianism and their virulent antisemitism.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024
The United States claimed to be waging a war against tyranny and totalitarianism.
—Gary Younge, The New York Review of Books, 28 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for totalitarianism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'totalitarianism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Totalitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totalitarianism. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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