communist

noun

com·​mu·​nist ˈkäm-yə-nist How to pronounce communist (audio)
-yü-
1
: an adherent or advocate of communism
2
capitalized : communard
3
a
capitalized : a member of a Communist party or movement
b
often capitalized : an adherent or advocate of a Communist government, party, or movement
4
often capitalized : one held to engage in left-wing, subversive, or revolutionary activities
communist adjective often capitalized
communistic adjective often capitalized
communistically adverb

Examples of communist in a Sentence

communists were plotting an overthrow of the government
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The legal historian points to the McCarthy era of the 1950s that targeted communists, real and suspected. Nate Iglehart, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025 Georgi Markov, a novelist and playwright, defected in 1969 from his native Bulgaria which was then ruled by communists. Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025 As attorney general, Robert Kennedy approved Hoover's request in 1963 to wiretap King amid concerns that King was associating with communists. Marc Caputo, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025 Western agencies aided India in its scrutiny of domestic communists at home, even as India in its foreign policy maintained comfortable relations with communist countries. Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for communist

Word History

Etymology

see communism

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of communist was in 1840

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Communist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communist. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

communist

noun
com·​mu·​nist ˈkäm-yə-nəst How to pronounce communist (audio)
1
: a person who believes in communism
2
capitalized : a member or follower of a Communist party or movement
communist adjective often capitalized
communistic adjective often capitalized

More from Merriam-Webster on communist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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