What does "totalitarianism" mean?
A system of government in which the people have virtually no authority and the state wields absolute control, for example, a dictatorship.
Totalitarianism
noun
noun ·8 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A system of government in which the people have virtually no authority and the state wields absolute control, for example, a dictatorship.
- Grammar: totalitarianism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: authoritarianism, despotism, dictatorship, tyranny.
- Useful contrasts: autonomy, democracy, freedom.
- Usage evidence: The really frightening thing about totalitarianism is not that it commits "atrocities" but that it attacks the concept of objective truth; it claims to control the past as well as the future.
How to use "totalitarianism"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "totalitarianism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "totalitarianism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "totalitarianism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "authoritarianism" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A system of government in which the people have virtually no authority and the state wields absolute control, for example, a dictatorship. countable, uncountable
"And if it is true that in the final stages of totalitarianism an absolute evil appears (absolute because it can no longer be deduced from humanly comprehensible motives), it is also true that without it we might never have known the truly radical nature of Evil."
- 2 an ideological belief in the complete and unrestricted power of government. wordnet
- 3 a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.) wordnet
Example
"The really frightening thing about totalitarianism is not that it commits "atrocities" but that it attacks the concept of objective truth; it claims to control the past as well as the future."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "totalitarianism"?
Common synonyms include: authoritarianism, despotism, dictatorship, tyranny, absolutism, autarchy.
How do you use "totalitarianism" in a sentence?
The really frightening thing about totalitarianism is not that it commits "atrocities" but that it attacks the concept of objective truth; it claims to control the past as well as the future.
Etymology
1938, from totalitarian + -ism, modeled after Italian totalitarismo (1923, by Giovanni Amendola) and German terms such as Totalstaat (1927, The Concept of the Political, by Carl Schmitt).