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Orwellian

usgb/ɔːrˈweliən/Volume
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Dystopian Origin

Understand that 'orwellian' describes scenarios resembling the oppressive societies in Orwell's fictional works.

Illustration for Dystopian Origin
After the new laws were passed, some critics described the country as an orwellian society.
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Big Brother

Remember 'Big Brother' from Orwell's '1984' when thinking of 'orwellian' as a reference to intrusive surveillance.

Illustration for Big Brother
The city's new monitoring system felt disturbingly orwellian to its residents.
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Cultural Critique

Use 'orwellian' to critique aspects of society or governance that seem misleading, oppressive, or unethical.

Illustration for Cultural Critique
The speech was criticized for its orwellian message that war was necessary for peace.
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Compare with

AuthoritarianCensoriousDespoticDictatorialDystopianOppressiveRestrictiveTotalitarian
Visual representation of the word "Orwellian"

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