fascism
5 synonyms and 2 antonyms for fascism, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A far-right, authoritarian, and intensely nationalist political system marked by centralized dictatorial power and suppression of opposition.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
antifascism
anti-fascism
How to use fascism
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
rise of fascism
fight against fascism
Etymology
From Italian fascismo, coined from fascio ("bundle" or "group"), referencing the Roman fasces — a bundle of rods symbolising authority — adopted as an emblem by Mussolini's movement.
Full origin of fascism →Frequently asked questions
What does “fascism” mean?
The word “fascism” means a far-right, authoritarian, and intensely nationalist political system marked by centralized dictatorial power and suppression of opposition. In plain terms, a political system built on dictatorship, extreme nationalism, and crushing dissent.
How do you pronounce “fascism”?
“Fascism” is pronounced FA-shihzm (/ˈfæʃɪz(ə)m/ in IPA).
How do you use “fascism” in a sentence?
Here is “fascism” used in a sentence: “Historians study how fascism took hold in 1920s and 1930s Europe.”
What is the opposite of “fascism”?
The opposite of “fascism” — its antonyms — are antifascism and anti-fascism.
What part of speech is “fascism”?
“Fascism” is a noun.
Where does the word “fascism” come from?
The word “fascism” comes from Italian. From Italian fascismo, coined from fascio ("bundle" or "group"), referencing the Roman fasces — a bundle of rods symbolising authority — adopted as an emblem by Mussolini's movement.
Is “fascism” a common word?
“Fascism” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between fascism and communism?
Fascism is a far-right, ultranationalist system built around centralized dictatorial power and suppression of opposition, whereas communism is a far-left ideology centered on collective ownership of the means of production. Despite both often being authoritarian in practice, they sit at opposite ends of the political spectrum and differ fundamentally in economic goals.
Is fascism the same as authoritarianism?
Not exactly, authoritarianism is a broader term for any system with centralized power and limited political freedoms, while fascism is a specific far-right form of authoritarianism defined by intense nationalism and suppression of dissent. All fascist systems are authoritarian, but not all authoritarian systems are fascist.
How does fascism differ from ordinary nationalism?
Nationalism is pride in and loyalty to one's nation and can exist within democratic systems. Fascism goes further, combining intense nationalism with dictatorial control and the suppression of political opposition.
