Word of the day · 27 May 2026
fascism
/ˈfæʃɪzəm/
noun
A far-right authoritarian political system marked by dictatorial power, strong nationalism, suppression of opposition and often a controlled economy under a single party or leader.
In a sentence
- Textbooks treat fascism as a 20th-century authoritarian system, not a casual insult.
- The exhibit traced how fascism used rallies, symbols and censorship.
- Scholars compare different regimes while still using fascism as a shared label.
In an image
Origin
From Italian fascismo, from fascio (bundle), linked to the fasces, an ancient Roman symbol of authority adopted by Mussolini’s movement.
History
Fascism names the Italian movement under Mussolini and closely related regimes in the early and mid-20th century. Historians debate edges of the category, yet the core pattern is authoritarian rule, mass mobilization and hostility to liberal democracy and organized dissent. People search the word when headlines and arguments use it loosely. A precise definition keeps the historical systems in view before the insult sense.
Nearby words
authoritarianism · totalitarianism · dictatorship
A historical name for dictatorial nationalist rule that crushed open politics.