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

Example Sentences

The front organization functions both ways: as the facade of the totalitarian movement to the nontotalitarian world, and as the facade of this world to the inner hierarchy of the movement.

From Salon

Prosecutors said the group planned to create a government "inspired by National Socialism" - the far-right totalitarian ideology associated with Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party.

From BBC

“As in any totalitarian, authoritarian state, people don't want to get in trouble - it doesn't mean that they are supportive of some madness, an aggressive war against their neighbour,” she added.

From BBC

In the 1960s, he calls Martin Luther King Jr. a totalitarian.

From Salon

The Latin American left has a decision to make about Venezuela: Oppose Nicolás Maduro’s totalitarian bid to remain in power indefinitely or enable it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• authoritarian
• autocratic
• monolithic
• oppressive
• tyrannical