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totalitarian — relating to a system of government that has complete power and control over its citizens

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: relating to a system of government that has complete power and control over its citizens

Pronunciation (IPA): /toʊˌtæləˈtɛriən/

Example Sentences

  • In the totalitarian world of '1984', Big Brother watches your every move - even when you're picking your nose.
  • The totalitarian leader banned all books except for his own autobiography titled 'How I Became So Awesome.'
  • Scholars debate whether modern surveillance technology could enable new forms of totalitarian control.

totalitarian

ADJECTIVE

[/toʊˌtæləˈtɛriən/]

relating to a system of government that has complete power and control over its citizens

a stern government official in a dark uniform holds up his hand to stop a citizen carrying groceries. The official examines the citizen's identification papers with intense scrutiny. The citizen stands frozen with fear, clutching their belongings tightly. Other uniformed officials patrol the street, watching every person's movement. Citizens in the background walk with their heads down, avoiding eye contact with the authorities. Everyone moves carefully, clearly afraid of being questioned or detained. a system where the government has complete power and control over its citizens
💡 Concept

a stern government official in a dark uniform holds up his hand to stop a citizen carrying groceries. The official examines the citizen's identification papers with intense scrutiny. The citizen stands frozen with fear, clutching their belongings tightly. Other uniformed officials patrol the street, watching every person's movement. Citizens in the background walk with their heads down, avoiding eye contact with the authorities. Everyone moves carefully, clearly afraid of being questioned or detained. a system where the government has complete power and control over its citizens

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/toʊˌtæləˈtɛriən/
🇬🇧 UK/təʊˌtælɪˈteəriən/

🌳Etymology

Roottotal
Suffix--itarian

Origin

Coined in 1920s Italy to describe fascist regimes, combining 'total' with the suffix '-arian' meaning 'believer in' or 'characterized by'.

Breakdown

total (complete/whole) + -itarian (suffix meaning 'advocate of' or 'characterized by')

🎵Rhyme

authoritarianlibertarianvegetarian
authoritarian
libertarian
vegetarian

🔗Collocations

totalitarian regime
totalitarian state
totalitarian control
totalitarian government
totalitarian society

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“In the totalitarian world of '1984', Big Brother watches your every move - even when you're picking your nose.”

😄 Fun example

“The totalitarian leader banned all books except for his own autobiography titled 'How I Became So Awesome.'”

“Scholars debate whether modern surveillance technology could enable new forms of totalitarian control.”

“The novel depicts a totalitarian future where even thinking the wrong thoughts is a crime.”

📚Related Words

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