WordValedystopia
an imagined society of great suffering or injustice
In more detail
1. (noun) an imaginary place or situation that is very bad, unpleasant, or depressing, especially one shown in books or films
2. (noun) a society characterized by poverty, suffering, injustice, or oppression
Examples
- 1. The novel describes a dystopia where the government controls every aspect of people's lives.
- 2. The film depicts a dystopia ravaged by war and environmental collapse.
How to use dystopia
Dystopia is widely used in literary, film, and social criticism to describe imagined or actual systems characterized by extreme suffering or oppression. It contrasts with utopia and is often employed when discussing speculative fiction, social commentary, or dire predictions about society. The term carries inherent negative judgment and is rarely used neutrally.
Common phrases
- post-apocalyptic dystopia
- dystopian society
- dystopian novel
- dystopian future
- bleak dystopia
Synonyms
hellscape · nightmare · wasteland · inferno · dark future
Opposites
utopia · paradise · eden
Word family
dystopian (adjective) · dystopically (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse dystopia with dystopian; dystopia is the noun for the place or condition itself, while dystopian is the adjective describing something related to or characteristic of a dystopia.
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