Dystopian Vocabulary list

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Speculative (adj)

Based on guesses or ideas about what might happen or be true rather than on facts.

Oppressive (adj)

To subject someone to harsh and unjust treatment or control, often leading to suffering or hardship.

Barren

(adj)

A landscape that is empty and has no plants or signs of life.

Apocalypse

(n)

An event leading to the near-total destruction of the world or humanity.

Decimate

(v)

To destroy large numbers of people, animals, or other creatures, or to harm something severely.

Hostile

(adj)

Showing strong unfriendliness, often through aggressive or violent behavior.

Exploit

To take advantage of a person or situation, often unfairly, for personal gain.

surveillance 

(n)

The act of closely watching or observing a person or group.

Propaganda

A form of communication that uses various techniques (visual, written, etc.) to influence public opinion, often appealing to emotions purposely, and may or may not be based on complete facts.

Segregation

The act of keeping one group separate from another.

Illusion

A false or misleading impression of reality that deceives the mind into believing something is real when it is not.

Conform

To act according to a rule, standard, or norm to fit in with others.

Dehumanized

Treating someone as less than human by stripping away their unique human qualities, dignity, and individuality. It often involves comparing people to animals or objects, or reducing them to a single negative characteristic, making it easier to harm or deny them basic rights and moral consideration.

Paranoia

Being overly suspicious and thinking others are out to harm you.

Tyranny

The cruel, harsh, and unfair use of power by a government or person in power.