as in oppressive
controlling the people of a country in a very strict way with complete power that cannot be opposed
A totalitarian state that did not even allow outsiders to visit.
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as in authoritarian
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of totalitarian
Katya Soldak, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
George Orwell's haunting vision of a totalitarian future is thoughtfully explored in this film adaptation of his seminal novel, in which humble worker Winston Smith (John Hurt) and his fellow citizens must deal with constant surveillance by the government, punishing all those who fall out of line.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Néstor T. Carbonell, National Review, 16 July 2021
And there’s another reason why totalitarians capable of horrific human rights violations are a real hosting nightmare.
—Sarah Todd, Quartz, 27 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for totalitarian
Adjective
Organized by the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve, the exhibition presents documentary photography, archival materials, and video installations that chronicle the devastation of the city under two totalitarian regimes.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
George Orwell's haunting vision of a totalitarian future is thoughtfully explored in this film adaptation of his seminal novel, in which humble worker Winston Smith (John Hurt) and his fellow citizens must deal with constant surveillance by the government, punishing all those who fall out of line.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
But that would not address the fundamental goal of the protests: to end the totalitarian stranglehold that has subjected the Cubans to an unbearable serfdom.
—Néstor T. Carbonell, National Review, 16 July 2021
And there’s another reason why totalitarians capable of horrific human rights violations are a real hosting nightmare.
—Sarah Todd, Quartz, 27 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for totalitarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totalitarian
Adjective
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The Collector is also hoping these will satiate the growing wants of his oppressive overlord, The Forger (Roddy Ricch), who has mysterious motives of his own.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2025
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The current war in Sudan involves civil strife and shifting allegiances, in which one oppressive regime was toppled by a coalition, which then turned in on itself, leading to an even more vicious war.—
Lawrence D. Freedman,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Since taking office just a few weeks ago, President Trump has rapidly depleted the reservoir of America’s soft power with an authoritarian bent and astonishing speed.—
Penny Abeywardena,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Other writers and artists have also begun to mine this era for clues to China’s current authoritarian malaise.—
Ian Johnson,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The cover of the first issue of The New Yorker, dated Feb. 21, 1925, carried no portraits of potentates or tycoons, no headlines, no come-ons.—
Christopher B. Daly,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2025
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Or were all those billionaire potentates in the Capitol Rotunda — seated in front of Trump’s Cabinet picks — asserting their social, economic and cultural hegemony?—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Maybe a less obvious point is that some of these other aspiring autocrats really have to care about audiences outside their own country.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
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After Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the American public has become even more distrustful of the Russian autocrat.—
MICHAEL McFAUL,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His conduct also invites comparisons to Vladimir Putin, his favorite foreign dictator, who has banned or tamed almost all independent media in Russia.—
Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards,
Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2025
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Take the quiz here … IF THE SHOE FITS – Meghan Markle's persona as 'dictator in high heels' following royal snub.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While the modern world rages outside their four walls, everything inside is immune to the tyrant of time.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2025
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Trump’s weird bromance with North Korean tyrant Kim Jong Un came at the expense of Japan’s national security.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totalitarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totalitarian. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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