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

• commie
• comrade
• Red
• socialist

Examples of communist in a Sentence

communists were plotting an overthrow of the government

Recent Examples on the Web

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

The Republican government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, who set up the People's Republic of China. —Joe Cash and Ben Blanchard, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025

Directed by Italian communist Ettore Scola, Le Bal is a metaphorical journey through 50 years of French history, told entirely through choreography. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2025

Many far more prominent Republicans than McCarthy spent that February weekend accusing Democrats of allowing communists to infiltrate the government. —Made By History, TIME, 9 Feb. 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