hitlerism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “hitlerism” mean?
The political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler, characterized by extreme nationalism, racism, totalitarianism, and aggressive expansionism.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler, characterized by extreme nationalism, racism, totalitarianism, and aggressive expansionism.
Any political system or ideology that mirrors the principles of Nazism, including dictatorial control, suppression of opposition, racial supremacy, and militarism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling remains the same.
Connotations
Universally negative, associated with the atrocities of World War II and the Holocaust.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, used primarily in academic or historical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “hitlerism” in a Sentence
[Subject] is often compared to hitlerism.The scholar analysed the tenets of hitlerism.They warned against the resurgence of hitlerism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hitlerism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The regime sought to hitlerise the education system.
- They accused the party of attempting to hitlerise the political discourse.
American English
- The regime sought to hitlerize the education system.
- They accused the party of attempting to hitlerize the political discourse.
adverb
British English
- The propaganda was hitleristically effective in its simplicity.
American English
- The propaganda was hitleristically effective in its simplicity.
adjective
British English
- The group's hitlerite rhetoric was widely condemned.
- He made a hitlerian comparison that shocked the audience.
American English
- The group's hitlerite rhetoric was widely condemned.
- He made a hitlerian comparison that shocked the audience.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, and sociological texts to analyse Nazi ideology and its modern parallels.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only appear in serious political discussion or historical debate.
Technical
Not a technical term in most fields outside specific historical or political analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hitlerism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hitlerism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hitlerism”
- Misspelling as 'hittlerism' or 'hitlerianism'. Using it as a casual synonym for any strict rule or authority, which trivialises its historical weight.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are largely synonymous, though 'hitlerism' can place more specific emphasis on the ideas and methods of Adolf Hitler himself, while 'Nazism' refers to the broader German National Socialist movement.
Yes, but cautiously. It is a powerful, accusatory term used in political rhetoric and academic analysis to draw parallels between current ideologies and historical Nazism. Its use is often controversial.
No, it is a low-frequency word used primarily in formal, academic, or historical discussions.
Trivialising the historical specificity and horrors of the Nazi regime by applying the term too loosely to any disliked authority or policy.
The political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler, characterized by extreme nationalism, racism, totalitarianism, and aggressive expansionism.
Hitlerism is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Hitlerism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪtlərɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪtlərˌɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The word itself is often used as a pejorative label in political rhetoric, e.g., 'That policy smacks of hitlerism.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HITLER + ISM. The '-ism' suffix denotes a system of ideas, so it's the ideological system of Hitler.
Conceptual Metaphor
Ideology as a Disease/Contagion (e.g., 'the spread of hitlerism').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'hitlerism' MOST appropriately used?