# dystopia

/dɪstˈəʊpiə/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dystopia
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a society that is ruled by a powerful government and is full of suffering, oppression, and fear. It is a common theme in science fiction stories.

For teachers: a society characterized by human misery, oppression, and suffering, typically under the control of a totalitarian regime. Often used in the context of speculative fiction to explore the consequences of extreme political or technological developments.

## Examples

- The movie is set in a dark dystopia where the government controls everything.
- Many modern novels use a dystopia as a setting to warn readers about the dangers of losing personal freedoms.
- The author's depiction of a surveillance state serves as a cautionary dystopia, illustrating how the erosion of privacy can lead to the total subjugation of the individual by the state.

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