Totalitarian: meaning, definitions and examples

🚫

Add to dictionary

totalitarian

[ təʊˌtæl.ɪˈteə.ri.ən ]

^{Context #1}

political system

Relating to a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state.

Synonyms

authoritarian, dictatorial, oppressive, tyrannical

Examples of usage

His regime was known for its totalitarian control over every aspect of citizens' lives.
The country's totalitarian government suppressed any form of dissent.

^{Context #2}

characteristics

Exercising control over the freedom, will, or thought of others; authoritarian.

Synonyms

autocratic, despotic, domineering, totalistic

Examples of usage

The totalitarian nature of the company's CEO was evident in his micromanagement of employees.
The novel depicted a dystopian society ruled by a totalitarian regime.

Translations

Translations of the word "totalitarian" in other languages:

🇵🇹 totalitário

🇮🇳 सर्वसत्तावादी

🇩🇪 totalitär

🇮🇩 totaliter

🇺🇦 тоталітарний

🇵🇱 totalitarny

🇯🇵 全体主義的 (ぜんたいしゅぎてき)

🇫🇷 totalitaire

🇪🇸 totalitario

🇹🇷 totaliter

🇰🇷 전체주의적인

🇸🇦 شمولي

🇨🇿 totalitární

🇸🇰 totalitný

🇨🇳 极权主义的 (jíquán zhǔyì de)

🇸🇮 totalitaren

🇮🇸 alræðislegur

🇰🇿 тоталитарлық

🇬🇪 ტოტალიტარული

🇦🇿 totalitar

🇲🇽 totalitario

Word origin

The term 'totalitarian' originated in the early 20th century to describe political systems where the state holds total authority over society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life. It gained prominence during the rise of totalitarian regimes such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. The word combines 'total' and 'itarian' to convey the idea of complete control and domination by the state.