Utopia/Dystopia Vocabulary Flashcards
Please note that the example sentences are borrowed from Mr. Decoster's powerpoint (23 cards)
Dystopia
Definition: an imagined world or society in which people lead wretched, dehumanized, fearful lives
Sentence: With the new president , our future is looking to be a dystopia
Utopia
Definition: a place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions
Sentence: Her utopian ideas might make us happy after all
Draconian
Definition: of, relating to, or characteristic of Draco (a cruel ruler) or the severe code of laws held to have been framed by him
Sentence: The teacher installed draconian rules in his class.
Regime
Definition: A form of government
Sentence: The new, dystopian regime has banned all books.
Dictatorship
Definition: a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small clique
Sentence: The new government made it clear that a dictatorship had risen.
Manipulation
Definition: to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one’s own advantage
Sentence: The elections were manipulated, a single candidate got 5 trillion votes
Government
Definition: the body of persons that constitutes the governing authority of a political unit or organization
Sentence: The new government has utopian ideas.
To govern
Definition: to exercise continuous sovereign authority over
Sentence: The new president governs with patience and wisdom.
Oppresive
Definition: tyrannical
Sentence: The oppresive regime imprisoned any protestors.
Totalitarian
Definition: of or relating to centralized control by an autocratic leader or hierarchy
Sentence: The totalitarian government took free press away.
Propaganda
Definition: the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
Sentence: Using propaganda, the candidate gained a lot of popularity in certain groups.
Surveillance
Definition: close watch kept over someone or something
Sentence: The surveillance was extra high after the draconian leader.
Dehumanized
Definition: to deprive (someone or something) of human qualities, personality, or dignity
Sentence: When he got tortured live on TV, he got dehumanized.
To banish
Definition: to require by authority to leave a country
Sentence: After two years, Trump banished Musk to Siberia.
To dissent
Definition: to differ in opinion
Sentence: All who dissented, were arrested
Illusion
Definition: something that deceives or misleads intellectually
Sentence: He created the illusion that everything would be fine.
Ideology
Definition: a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture
Sentence: The ideology of that group was very racist
Revolution
Definition: a sudden, radical, or complete change
Sentence: Suddenly there was a revolution against the dehumanizing government.
Conformity
Definition: action in accordance with some specified standard or authority
Sentence: The papers wrote an article in conformity with the ideas of the president
Censorship
Definition: the institution, system, or practice of censoring
Sentence: The strict censorship meant that no one on the internet could say anything close to an opinion.
To brainwash
Definition: a forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up basic political, social, or religious beliefs and attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented idea
Sentence: The people got brainwashed by the leader’s propaganda.
To prohibit
Definition: to forbid by authority
Sentence: The right to protest was prohibited.
To feel trapped
Sentence: Feeling trapped in their dystopian country, they fled.
