communist

noun

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

Synonyms of communist

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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.
Yet the agreement encountered intense resistance from the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, the communist left, and critical sections of Singh’s own Congress Party. — C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026 Joe Rogan and podcast guest Shane Gillis criticized Republicans for labeling people who want universal health care as communists. — John Wilkerson, STAT, 27 Aug. 2026 Taiwan has controlled the Kinmen and Matsu islands, which lie just off the Chinese coast, since the Republic of China government fled to Taipei in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong’s communists. — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026 Republicans who claim that democratic socialists are like communists are either misinformed or deliberately using misleading rhetoric for political advantage. — Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing communist

Rhymes for communist

See All Rhymes for communist

Browse Nearby Words

communism
communist
communitarian
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Communist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communist. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
ˌkäm-yə-ˈnis-tik How to pronounce communist (audio)
adjective often capitalized
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