What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tankie
Example
He's such a tankie, he thinks Stalin did nothing wrong. [tankie: noun]
Example
She's always defending Mao's policies, she's a real tankie. [tankie: adjective]
totalitarian
Example
The country was ruled by a totalitarian government that controlled every aspect of citizens' lives. [totalitarian: adjective]
Example
Totalitarianism is a dangerous political ideology that threatens individual freedoms. [totalitarianism: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Totalitarian is a more common term than tankie in everyday language and is used in various contexts, including academic and political discussions. Tankie is a less common term and is mainly used in left-wing circles to criticize extreme views.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tankie and totalitarian?
Totalitarian is a more formal term than tankie and is used in academic and political discourse. Tankie is a colloquial term that is mainly used in informal settings and may not be appropriate in formal contexts.