communist

noun

com·​mu·​nist ˈkäm-yə-nist 

-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

ˌkäm-yə-ˈni-stik 

-yü-

adjective often capitalized

communistically

ˌkäm-yə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē 

-yü-

adverb

Synonyms

• socialist

Examples of communist in a Sentence

communists were plotting an overthrow of the government

Recent Examples on the Web

It was roiled by rampant political violence, frequent political assassinations, and street fights between communists and fascists, both of whom rejected the new regime. —Daniel Ziblatt, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025

Leon Trotsky was fatally attacked in his home by a Spanish communist wielding an ice pick. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025

My parents and sisters immigrated from Poland in the 1980s, leaving behind a country ruled by communists for a new life just outside of Chicago, Illinois. —Rich Tabaka, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025

Madigan touched on Kazan's House Un-American Activities Committee testimony in 1952 amid the blacklisting of Hollywood figures suspected of being communists during the Red Scare. —EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see communism

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing communist

• anti-communist

Rhymes for communist

• anticommunist

Kids Definition

communist

noun

com·​mu·​nist ˈkäm-yə-nəst 

1

: a person who believes in communism

2

capitalized : a member or follower of a Communist party or movement

communist adjective often capitalized

communistic

ˌkäm-yə-ˈnis-tik 

adjective often capitalized