# statist

/ˈsteɪtɪst/ (US) · /stˈætɪst/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/statist
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

wanting the government to have strong control over the economy and people's lives. You use it to describe ideas or people that support a powerful state.

For teachers: favouring extensive government control over economic and social affairs. Often contrasted with libertarian or free-market positions.

## Examples

- They support a statist approach to health care.
- The new law takes a statist view of the economy, giving ministers power to set prices and control major industries.
- Critics argue that statist solutions, while promising stability, risk stifling innovation by concentrating decision-making in distant bureaucracies unfamiliar with local needs.

## Antonyms

libertarian, anarchist

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.