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

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

He’s also enlisted local police, state troopers and private security for the events.

From Salon • May 5, 2025

“This is not a police state, it’s a state that provides security,” Ulloa said.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 31, 2024

But what they didn’t say was that prison was also a microcosm of a totalitarian society, a nearly pure example of the police state.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover