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
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
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
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“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.”
“The novel depicts a totalitarian future where even thinking the wrong thoughts is a crime.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.