totalitarianism
Americannoun
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the practices and principles of a totalitarian regime.
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absolute control by the state or a governing branch of a highly centralized institution.
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the character or quality of an autocratic or authoritarian individual, group, or government.
the totalitarianism of the father.
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Domination by a government of all political, social, and economic activities in a nation. Totalitarianism is a phenomenon of the twentieth century: earlier forms of despotism and autocracy lacked the technical capacity to control every aspect of life. The term is applied both to fascist governments (see fascism) and to many forms of communism.
Other Word Forms
- totalitarianist noun
Etymology
Origin of totalitarianism
First recorded in 1920–25; totalitarian + -ism
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
George Orwell’s 1939 novel, “Coming Up for Air,” tells the story of an unremarkable suburban London householder who is seized with a feeling of overwhelming dread by the looming terrors of war and totalitarianism.
From Salon • Sep. 1, 2025
In the early 20th century, totalitarianism was best known in countries that had superficially been modernized, but remained regressive in crucial ways.
From Salon • Jun. 22, 2025
Dr Alexandra Stein, a social psychologist and author who specialises in cults and totalitarianism, says it is typical "cult-speak".
From BBC • Oct. 29, 2024
Jeffries tells fellow members that they have a responsibility to push back against tyranny, totalitarianism and terror, and to stand with democracies around the world.
From BBC • Apr. 20, 2024
But totalitarianism is no less odious to us because we are able to reach some accommodation that reduces the danger of world catastrophe.
From State of the Union Address by Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.