Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
police-state
noun
/pəˈliːs steɪt/
Definition
A police state is a government that maintains strict control over civil and political rights, often through the use of surveillance, coercion, and repression.
Examples
- The citizens were living in fear under the oppressive measures of a police state.
- Many activists flee their home country to escape the dangers of a police state.
Meaning
The term implies a government that prioritizes security and order over personal freedoms, often enforcing laws in a harsh or authoritarian manner.
Synonyms
- totalitarian state
- authoritarian regime
- repressive government
