police state

NOUN

totalitarian rule

Synonyms

WEAK

brute force despotism rule of terror totalitarian government totalitarian regime totalitarianism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If Times employees sincerely believe that Times management is using AI to run the newspaper like a dystopian police state, can we really expect staff to file perfectly balanced copy on the potential of AI?

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Similar to the way Lamar’s performance was laden with symbolism about Black history, life and death under the American police state, Bad Bunny placed cultural tributes in plain sight.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2026

Here, it justifies the creation of a dystopian, paranoid police state because it will make it easier to find someone’s lost dog.

From Slate • Feb. 8, 2026

Stone & Son, which then called the driver and told him to pull over and wait for police, state police said.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 18, 2023

To maintain his power, Hitler quickly turned Germany into a police state.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple