totalitarian

[ toh-tal-i-tair-ee-uhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion and that exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life.
2. exercising control over the freedom, will, or thought of others; authoritarian; autocratic.

noun

1. an adherent of totalitarianism.

totalitarian

/ təʊˌtælɪˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. of, denoting, relating to, or characteristic of a dictatorial one-party state that regulates every realm of life

noun

1. a person who advocates or practises totalitarian policies

Derived Forms

• toˌtaliˈtarianism, noun

Other Words From

• anti·to·tali·tari·an adjective
• nonto·tali·tari·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of totalitarian¹

First recorded in 1925–30; totalit(y) + -arian

Word History and Origins

Origin of totalitarian¹

from totality + -arian

Related Words

• authoritarian
• autocratic
• monolithic
• oppressive
• tyrannical