Synonyms for

Totalitarian

Verb / ˌtəʊˌtælɪˈteri:ʌn / Another word for totalitarian — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

relating to a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state

Synonyms & similar words

totalistic authoritarian autocratic dictatorial oppressive repressive tyrannical despotic domineering arrogant absolute monolithic ruthless unyielding cruel harsh inhuman unfeeling unmerciful dominant masterful

Synonyms by register

Formal

authoritarian autocratic dictatorial despotic

Informal

oppressive controlling iron-fisted

Literary

tyrannical regimented

Antonyms

democratic liberal free individualistic anarchic libertarian

Common collocations

  • totalitarian regime
  • totalitarian state
  • totalitarian government
  • totalitarian system
  • totalitarian ideology
  • totalitarian rule
  • totalitarian society

Word family

noun totalitarianism
adjective totalitarian
adverb totalitarianly

Usage note

Often used to describe a political system where the state holds absolute authority over all aspects of public and private life. Connotation is strongly negative.

Example sentences

  1. The country was under a totalitarian regime that did not allow any opposition.
  2. The leader of the country was a totalitarian dictator who controlled every aspect of life.
  3. The people in the country were afraid to speak out against the totalitarian government.
  4. The totalitarian state controlled the media and propaganda.
  5. The totalitarian government had no tolerance for dissent.

Quotes

  • The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power... Among us today a concentration of private power without equal in history is growing.
  • The totalitarian states can do great things, but there is one thing they cannot do: they cannot give the factory worker a rifle and tell him to take it home and keep it in his bedroom.
  • The totalitarian state pursues its ends by all the means that are expedient to it and cannot be held to moral principles... The state is not bound by the moral law.

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words