Totalitarian
adjective
Relating to a system of government that is controlled by one person or a small group who have complete power.
The country's totalitarian regime is coming to an end.
Often appears as...
- totalitarian regime
- totalitarian state
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Political
noun
A person who supports or practices a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state.
He prevailed against the totalitarians in his country.
Often appears as...
- becoming a totalitarian
- fight against totalitarians
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Political
adjective
Relating to a system of government that is controlled by one person or a small group who have complete power.
The country's totalitarian regime is coming to an end.
Often appears as...
- totalitarian regime
- totalitarian state
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Political
noun
A person who supports or practices a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state.
He prevailed against the totalitarians in his country.
Often appears as...
- becoming a totalitarian
- fight against totalitarians
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Political
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Used to describe negative or oppressive political systems; think of suppression of freedom.
His latest book illustrates the bleak life under a totalitarian regime.
Pro Tip 2/3Absence of Debate
Associated with the lack of political debate or opposition -- everyone must agree.
In a totalitarian state, questioning the leader's decisions is not tolerated.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
Often linked with historical dictatorships; helps to understand past and present regimes.
The class studied how totalitarian governments rose to power during the 20th century.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Used to describe negative or oppressive political systems; think of suppression of freedom.
His latest book illustrates the bleak life under a totalitarian regime.
Pro Tip 2/3Absence of Debate
Associated with the lack of political debate or opposition -- everyone must agree.
In a totalitarian state, questioning the leader's decisions is not tolerated.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
Often linked with historical dictatorships; helps to understand past and present regimes.
The class studied how totalitarian governments rose to power during the 20th century.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Used to describe negative or oppressive political systems; think of suppression of freedom.
His latest book illustrates the bleak life under a totalitarian regime.
Pro Tip 2/3Absence of Debate
Associated with the lack of political debate or opposition -- everyone must agree.
In a totalitarian state, questioning the leader's decisions is not tolerated.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
Often linked with historical dictatorships; helps to understand past and present regimes.
The class studied how totalitarian governments rose to power during the 20th century.
Compare with
authoritarianautocraticdespoticdictatorialdomineerfascistmonolithicoppressivetyrannical
Never forget "Totalitarian"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Virginia Postrel: The...
Because what they're doing is they're saying, your coat's not so glamorous, what's been edited out is something important. But actually, what's even more important than remembering what's been edited out is thinking, are the ideals good? Because glamour can be very totalitarian and deceptive.
Video examples
The rise of modern...
many countries wanted to move away from totalitarian ideologies. They sought a new political system that prioritized individual and social rights, aimed at political consensus, and respected the rule of law. As a result, most Western nations adopted a longstanding form of government
Video examples
Daniel Libeskind's 17...
And I think that is really the nature of architecture. Now I am a believer in democracy. I don't like beautiful buildings built for totalitarian regimes. Where people cannot speak, cannot vote, cannot do anything. We too often admire those buildings. We think they are beautiful.
Video examples
History vs. Che Guevara...
of "economic colonization, humiliation, and exploitation in the world." Whatever Batista's faults, it can't compare to the totalitarian nightmare Castro would create. Forced labor camps, torture of prisoners, no freedom to speak or to leave.
Video examples
How digital innovation...
has the potential of making it even a more totalitarian society. If people place their trust, however, on the social sector, on the ingenuity of social innovators, then the pandemic, as in Taiwan, actually strengthens our democracy,
Video examples
What "Orwellian" really...
where one may be found guilty of thoughtcrime by talking in their sleep, and keeping a diary or having a love affair equals a subversive act of rebellion. This might sound like something that can only happen in totalitarian regimes,
Video examples
AZ Finalist PIPE National...
love for history and geography if I could lead the world for a day I would try to end the human rights violations the ethnic discriminations and the totalitarian regimes worldwide I believe that everyone should have an
Video examples
Renata Salecl: Our...
Now, when we are anxious over choices, sometimes we easily give our power of choice away. We identify with the guru who tells us what to do, self-help therapist, or we embrace a totalitarian leader
Video examples
Susan Etlinger: What do...
Orwell's vision of a totalitarian future, or Huxley's vision of a trivial one, or some horrible cocktail of both. What we have to do is treat critical thinking with respect
Video examples
Dan Dennett: Responding...
It strikes me as practically libertarian. Is it totalitarian to require reading, writing and arithmetic? I don't think so. All I'm saying is --
Video examples
Virginia Postrel: The...
Because what they're doing is they're saying, your coat's not so glamorous, what's been edited out is something important. But actually, what's even more important than remembering what's been edited out is thinking, are the ideals good? Because glamour can be very totalitarian and deceptive.
Video examples
The rise of modern...
many countries wanted to move away from totalitarian ideologies. They sought a new political system that prioritized individual and social rights, aimed at political consensus, and respected the rule of law. As a result, most Western nations adopted a longstanding form of government
Video examples
Daniel Libeskind's 17...
And I think that is really the nature of architecture. Now I am a believer in democracy. I don't like beautiful buildings built for totalitarian regimes. Where people cannot speak, cannot vote, cannot do anything. We too often admire those buildings. We think they are beautiful.
Video examples
History vs. Che Guevara...
of "economic colonization, humiliation, and exploitation in the world." Whatever Batista's faults, it can't compare to the totalitarian nightmare Castro would create. Forced labor camps, torture of prisoners, no freedom to speak or to leave.
Video examples
How digital innovation...
has the potential of making it even a more totalitarian society. If people place their trust, however, on the social sector, on the ingenuity of social innovators, then the pandemic, as in Taiwan, actually strengthens our democracy,
Video examples
What "Orwellian" really...
where one may be found guilty of thoughtcrime by talking in their sleep, and keeping a diary or having a love affair equals a subversive act of rebellion. This might sound like something that can only happen in totalitarian regimes,
Video examples
AZ Finalist PIPE National...
love for history and geography if I could lead the world for a day I would try to end the human rights violations the ethnic discriminations and the totalitarian regimes worldwide I believe that everyone should have an
Video examples
Renata Salecl: Our...
Now, when we are anxious over choices, sometimes we easily give our power of choice away. We identify with the guru who tells us what to do, self-help therapist, or we embrace a totalitarian leader
Video examples
Susan Etlinger: What do...
Orwell's vision of a totalitarian future, or Huxley's vision of a trivial one, or some horrible cocktail of both. What we have to do is treat critical thinking with respect
Video examples
Dan Dennett: Responding...
It strikes me as practically libertarian. Is it totalitarian to require reading, writing and arithmetic? I don't think so. All I'm saying is --
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Chiwetel Ejiofor
British Actor
The truth is, it's a totalitarian dictatorship when you're making films. You are the boss. You can listen to other people, and it can be a benevolent dictatorship, but it's a dictatorship nonetheless. A lot of directors go past their first experience, that's what they've come away with.
Quote examples
Mark Skousen
American Economist
Taxation is the price we pay for failing to build a civilized society. The higher the tax level, the greater the failure. A centrally planned totalitarian state represents a complete defeat for the civilized world, while a totally voluntary society represents its ultimate success.
Quote examples
George H. W. Bush
American President
A new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn; for in man's heart, if not in fact, the day of the dictator is over. The totalitarian era is passing, its old ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient, lifeless tree.
Quote examples
Maajid Nawaz
British Activist
The only certainty we have is that those who are certain of a way to arrive at worldly salvation, are committed enough to organize around this, and seek power to enforce it, will invariably descend into a bloody totalitarian fascism.
Quote examples
Christopher Alexander
American Architect
But in practice master plans fail - because they create totalitarian order, not organic order. They are too rigid; they cannot easily adapt to the natural and unpredictable changes that inevitably arise in the life of a community.
Quote examples
Hans Frank
German Public Servant
In the main the Academy helped to frame only laws of an economic or social nature, since owing to the development of the totalitarian regime it became more and more impossible to cooperate in other spheres.
Quote examples
Andrew Vachss
American Author
Journalism is the protection between people and any sort of totalitarian rule. That's why my hero, admittedly a flawed one, is a journalist.
Quote examples
Isabel Paterson
Canadian Journalist
A tax-supported, compulsory educational system is the complete model of the totalitarian state.
Quote examples
G. Edward Griffin
American Author
The Fed has become an accomplice in the support of totalitarian regimes throughout the world.
Quote examples
Sue Townsend
English Novelist
I've always been fascinated by totalitarian regimes. I'm not an admirer of them.
Quote examples
Chiwetel Ejiofor
British Actor
The truth is, it's a totalitarian dictatorship when you're making films. You are the boss. You can listen to other people, and it can be a benevolent dictatorship, but it's a dictatorship nonetheless. A lot of directors go past their first experience, that's what they've come away with.
Quote examples
Mark Skousen
American Economist
Taxation is the price we pay for failing to build a civilized society. The higher the tax level, the greater the failure. A centrally planned totalitarian state represents a complete defeat for the civilized world, while a totally voluntary society represents its ultimate success.
Quote examples
George H. W. Bush
American President
A new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn; for in man's heart, if not in fact, the day of the dictator is over. The totalitarian era is passing, its old ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient, lifeless tree.
Quote examples
Maajid Nawaz
British Activist
The only certainty we have is that those who are certain of a way to arrive at worldly salvation, are committed enough to organize around this, and seek power to enforce it, will invariably descend into a bloody totalitarian fascism.
Quote examples
Christopher Alexander
American Architect
But in practice master plans fail - because they create totalitarian order, not organic order. They are too rigid; they cannot easily adapt to the natural and unpredictable changes that inevitably arise in the life of a community.
Quote examples
Hans Frank
German Public Servant
In the main the Academy helped to frame only laws of an economic or social nature, since owing to the development of the totalitarian regime it became more and more impossible to cooperate in other spheres.
Quote examples
Andrew Vachss
American Author
Journalism is the protection between people and any sort of totalitarian rule. That's why my hero, admittedly a flawed one, is a journalist.
Quote examples
Isabel Paterson
Canadian Journalist
A tax-supported, compulsory educational system is the complete model of the totalitarian state.
Quote examples
G. Edward Griffin
American Author
The Fed has become an accomplice in the support of totalitarian regimes throughout the world.
Quote examples
Sue Townsend
English Novelist
I've always been fascinated by totalitarian regimes. I'm not an admirer of them.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension