nanny state

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noun

a government perceived as authoritarian, interfering, or overprotective.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of nanny state

First recorded in 1965–70

Words nearby nanny state

nanny, nannyberry, nanny cam, nannygai, nanny goat, nanny state, nanny tax, nano, nanobe, nanobot, nanodot

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nanny state in a sentence

Even in a pandemic-set reunion, Ron said nothing negative about what many real people with his politics saw as a mask-mandating nanny state.
Ted Lasso and TV's Strange Quest to Build the Perfect Man|Judy Berman|July 19, 2021|Time
Tell them they can quit wearing the mask after the vaccine … give them a reward instead of telling them the nanny state is going to be there for three more years, and you’ve got to wear a mask forever.
House passes bills to open path to citizenship for young undocumented immigrants, legal status for farmworkers|John Wagner, Colby Itkowitz, Amy B Wang|March 19, 2021|Washington Post
The Louisiana university has turned into a nanny state, issuing a campus smoking ban of dubious legality.
The University Of New Orleans’ Cigarette Ban Is Total BS|Chloé Valdary|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Which means that government—good old intrusive Nanny State government— must step in even more.
Thank You, Croatia: All Hail Mandatory Vaccinations|Kent Sepkowitz|March 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They see the FDA decision as one more imposition on their lives and choices by the omnipresent nanny state.
U.S. Wants Freedom from ‘Filthy’ French Cheese|Alice Guilhamon, Christopher Dickey|July 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But it also means that insurance companies are reliable and active supporters of nanny-state issues.
The Insurance Industry’s Liberal Turn|Daniel Gross|July 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Kremer calls Stabenow “an advocate for the big-government nanny state.”
The Tea Party Express 2012 Game Plan|Eleanor Clift|April 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for nanny state

nanny state

noun

a government that makes decisions for people that they might otherwise make for themselves, esp those relating to private and personal behaviour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012