Or·well·i·an

(ôr-wĕl′ē-ən)

adj.

Of, relating to, or evocative of the works of George Orwell, especially the satirical novel 1984, which depicts a futuristic totalitarian state.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Or•well•i•an

(ɔrˈwɛl i ən)
adj.

of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or resembling the literary work of George Orwell or the totalitarian future described in his antiutopian novel 1984 (1949).

[1945–50]

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Adj.

Orwellian - of or relating to the works of George Orwell (especially his picture of a future totalitarian state)

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References in periodicals archive

Conjecture based on what's happening in the 'now' usually gives us an idea, sometimes a great many ideas in the Orwellian sense, as to what's in store for us.

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companies to comply to Chinese standards as "Orwellian nonsense."

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In addition, "by supplying Egyptian security services and law enforcement agencies with powerful digital tools, they have helped establish an Orwellian surveillance and control architecture that is being used to eradicate all forms of dissent and citizen action", the groups said.

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Last month, the White House described the Chinese demand as "Orwellian nonsense."

White House urges US airlines to snub China over Taiwan issue

YOU could be forgiven for believing you're living in an Orwellian nightmare as to renew your driving licence or passport you need a public services card.

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The Birmingham Mail's drugs and crime reports sound like Orwellian doublespeak games to me.

Mixed messages over drugs in Birmingham; Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@birminghammail.co.uk Twitter: @birminghammail Facebook: facebook.com/birminghammail Post: Birmingham Mail, 60 Church Street, Birmingham, B3 2DJ

I picked up Rabasa's debut novel at last fall's Texas Book Festival, and I'm looking forward to reading this Orwellian satire that tells the story of a small community where a rich money-lending "spectral power" named Selon Perdumes has exerted his power.

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Year 17 of the enduring Orwellian reality show, and it's been one of the raunchiest so far with an international cast of aspiring stars all vying for most screen time.

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Mr Irvine described the council's vision of creating a "green village community" as Orwellian.

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George Osborne and his ministry of lies is an Orwellian nightmare.

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ROOM 101 BBC1, 8.30pm It's more than 20 years since the Beeb's Orwellian show made its debut, and now it returns for a new series with Ronni Ancona, Len Goodman, and Tim Vine to discuss their pet peeves.

TV CHOICE