Orwellian

(adjective)

An over-controlling government that interferes in nearly every aspect of personal life. The term refers to George Orwell, the author of the fictional 1984, written in 1949, which predicted a future with a "big brother" government.

Related Terms

Examples of Orwellian in the following topics:

  • Privacy Rights and National Security

    • Taken to its logical conclusion, this view contends that measures like mass surveillance and censorship of mass media could ultimately lead to an Orwellian dystopia.

  • The War on Terror

    • It was heavily criticized as being an "Orwellian" case of mass surveillance.