socialist

noun

so·​cial·​ist ˈsō-sh(ə-)list 

1

: one who advocates or practices socialism

2

Socialist : a member of a party or political group advocating socialism

socialist adjective

often Socialist

socialistic

ˌsō-shə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

socialistically

ˌsō-shə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of socialist

• communist

Examples of socialist in a Sentence

a lifelong socialist who never lost faith in his cause

Recent Examples on the Web

Adding to the movement's victories on Tuesday, a Democratic socialist has also been elected to lead the city of Providence, Rhode Island, while several others scored win in House races in states from New York to Michigan to California. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 5 Nov. 2026

Stratton doesn’t identify as a democratic socialist, and she’s been hesitant to label herself otherwise. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Tiffany, who has represented a safely Republican Northern Wisconsin district since 2020, tried to paint Crowley as a socialist, especially after the contentious Democratic primary. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

From a roomful of ecstatic socialists to Hollywood’s creative class and Karen Bass’s loyalists, Vanity Fair went party-hopping on a night when everyone had something to celebrate. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing socialist

• anti-socialist
• socialist realism