kind of fascist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of fascist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that exhibits characteristics or behaviors associated with fascism, but in a more casual or less definitive manner. Example: "His authoritarian approach to leadership makes him seem kind of fascist, even if he doesn't identify as one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I think it's become a kind of fascist democracy".

The New York Times

"Mankind is a cancer in its own body," says Zobrist during some kind of fascist version of a TED talk.

The Guardian - Film

First, some background: JAY LENO declared on the "Tonight" show Thursday that New York had "this kind of fascist mayor thing going on: Giuliani".

The New York Times

And never mind if his nativist railings on Mexican immigrants – "rapists" and "criminals", he famously said in his announcement speech – and militarising America veer, to some ears, towards a kind of fascist populism.

Independent

("So, Mr. Zakaria, you say that America needs less democracy. Doesn't that make you some kind of fascist?") It is ambitious because Zakaria seeks to apply the Tocquevillian critique not just to modern America but to the whole world.

The New York Times - Books

"After they passed Homeland Security, I thought I needed some kind of fascist uniform," said the provocateur Mr. Berthold, who has long gray hair and describes himself as a Wagner freak.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"Especially because there's been a big lot of commemorations this year," she started, and then played God Save the Queen on a flute, after which she gave a double fist air punch with her head bowed, a kind of fascist-salute-as-devised-by-Facebook.

The Guardian

The kind of totalitarianism, fascist and Marxist, that shadowed Nisbet's writing isn't likely to come back.

The New York Times

He and his husband are what he calls "very heavy-duty monitors"("kind of the fascist parents") of their 15-year-old son.

The New York Times

He enlightened me about the background of Herzog's remarks: I can sadly report from having many German film-makers at PFA [Pacific Film Archive] in the 70s that some of them did consider WH [Werner Herzog] a kind of "emotional fascist" as they would put it, and did not defend him against the attacks on him by leftist critics and intellectuals.

The New Yorker

Alberto Moravia's great novel "The Conformist" is a different kind of anti-Fascist fiction, one that assumes a Fascist's point of view.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of fascist" when you want to suggest a resemblance to fascism without definitively labeling something as such. This allows for nuance and avoids overly strong or potentially inaccurate characterizations.

Common error

Avoid overuse of phrases like "kind of" as they can weaken your writing. If you can more precisely describe the specific fascist-like qualities, do so. For example, instead of "kind of fascist", specify "authoritarian" or "nationalistic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of fascist" functions as a qualifier used to describe something that possesses certain attributes associated with fascism without being a full embodiment of it. Ludwig's examples show its application in various contexts to express a nuanced comparison.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kind of fascist" serves as a nuanced descriptor, suggesting a resemblance to fascism without outright labeling something as such. As indicated by Ludwig, the expression is grammatically sound and appears mainly in News & Media. It functions as a qualifier, allowing writers and speakers to express a critical perspective by drawing comparisons to fascist ideologies or behaviors. While "kind of fascist" provides a way to express shades of gray, being mindful of less inflammatory synonyms such as "authoritarian", "nationalistic", or "illiberal" can add precision and avoid alienating your audience. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat fascist

Replaces "kind of" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly weaker resemblance to fascism.

slightly fascist

Uses "slightly" to suggest a minor degree of fascist characteristics.

leaning towards fascism

Indicates a tendency or inclination in the direction of fascism.

approaching fascism

Suggests a movement or development in the direction of fascism.

quasi-fascist

Uses the prefix "quasi-" to denote something resembling but not fully fascist.

pseudo-fascist

Uses the prefix "pseudo-" implying a false or imitation fascism.

with fascist tendencies

Focuses on the presence of tendencies or inclinations associated with fascism.

displays fascist traits

Highlights the observable traits or characteristics reminiscent of fascism.

reminiscent of fascism

Emphasizes the similarity or likeness to fascism.

shares fascist attributes

Focuses on the common attributes or features with fascism.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of fascist" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of fascist" to describe policies, behaviors, or ideologies that share characteristics with fascism without being outright fascist. For example, "His policies are "kind of fascist" because they prioritize the state over individual rights".

What's a less inflammatory way to say "kind of fascist"?

Instead of "kind of fascist", consider using phrases like "authoritarian", "nationalistic", or "illiberal". These terms capture aspects of fascism without using the loaded term directly.

Is it accurate to use "kind of fascist"?

The accuracy depends on the context. "Kind of fascist" suggests a resemblance to fascism, so it's appropriate when something exhibits some fascist characteristics but doesn't fully meet the definition. Be mindful of the term's strong connotations.

What's the difference between "kind of fascist" and "fascist"?

"Fascist" is a direct label, implying a complete adherence to fascist ideology or principles. "Kind of fascist" suggests a partial resemblance or tendency towards fascism, indicating it shares certain characteristics but isn't fully fascist.