noun
Uncommon
fascism
FA-shihzm
Fascism (noun) means a far-right, authoritarian, and intensely nationalist political system marked by centralized dictatorial power and suppression of opposition. Example: “Historians study how fascism took hold in 1920s and 1930s Europe.”
noun
1
A far-right, authoritarian, and intensely nationalist political system marked by centralized dictatorial power and suppression of opposition.
"Historians study how fascism took hold in 1920s and 1930s Europe."
"The novel imagines a future where fascism has spread across the continent."
How to use fascism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA political system built on dictatorship, extreme nationalism, and crushing dissent.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
rise of fascism
fight against fascism
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Word forms
- Plural
- fascisms
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Historians study how _____ took hold in 1920s and 1930s Europe.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
antifascism
anti-fascism
Related words
Rhymes for fascism
See all rhymes for 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.
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