crypto-fascism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Political Journalism
Quick answer
What does “crypto-fascism” mean?
A political ideology, movement, or regime that practices or upholds the principles of fascism secretly or while publicly denying it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A political ideology, movement, or regime that practices or upholds the principles of fascism secretly or while publicly denying it.
The covert support for or implementation of fascist policies, often disguised as nationalism, populism, or another mainstream ideology. Can also refer to an individual's hidden fascist sympathies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is used identically in political discourse.
Connotations
Equally strong and accusatory in both varieties. It is not a neutral descriptor.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK political journalism, reflecting a historical European context for analysing far-right movements. However, it is common in US academic and polemical writing.
Grammar
How to Use “crypto-fascism” in a Sentence
[Accusation] + accuse + [Person/Group] + of + crypto-fascismThe + policies/ rhetoric + have + a + whiff/smack + of + crypto-fascism[Movement] + was + denounced as + crypto-fascismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crypto-fascism” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His crypto-fascist leanings were revealed in the leaked memos.
- The columnist warned of a crypto-fascist shift in the party's language.
American English
- The group was described as having a crypto-fascist ideology.
- Analysts detected crypto-fascist elements in the manifesto.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and critical theory to analyse movements and rhetoric.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; would be a strong, deliberate accusation in political debate.
Technical
A term of political analysis and polemic, not a technical term with a fixed, quantifiable definition.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crypto-fascism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crypto-fascism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crypto-fascism”
- Using it as a casual insult rather than a specific analytical charge.
- Confusing it with simply 'conservative' or 'nationalist' policies.
- Misspelling as 'cryptofascism' (acceptable variant) or 'crypto fascism' (less standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Neo-fascism' openly updates fascist ideas for the modern era. 'Crypto-fascism' specifically emphasises the hidden or denied nature of the fascist beliefs.
It is a very severe accusation, more of a polemical charge than a neutral descriptor. Using it risks shutting down debate and may be considered an ad hominem attack unless supported by extensive, specific evidence.
In 'cryptocurrency', 'crypto-' is short for 'cryptography' (secret writing). In 'crypto-fascism', it derives from the Greek 'kryptos' meaning 'hidden' or 'secret', implying concealed allegiance.
Primarily yes, as fascism is a far-right ideology. However, in highly polemical contexts, it has sometimes been used (controversially) to describe authoritarian tendencies on the far-left, though this is atypical and not its standard meaning.
A political ideology, movement, or regime that practices or upholds the principles of fascism secretly or while publicly denying it.
Crypto-fascism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɪp.təʊˈfæʃ.ɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɪp.toʊˈfæʃ.ɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'crypto' as in 'cryptic' or 'hidden,' and 'fascism' as the extreme ideology. It's fascism kept in a secret vault.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL DECEPTION IS A MASK / A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'crypto-fascism' MOST appropriately used?