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 As such, Oppenheimer was someone that FBI director Hoover and Senator Joe McCarthy categorically insisted could not exist: an American communist who was likewise a patriot. TIME, 8 Mar. 2024 While most of them were destroyed under the communist rule, many of them were rebuilt in the 1990s once Mongolia regained its independence. Breanna Wilson, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 The destructive consequences of undermining the foundations of capitalism simply do not concern them, many of them being in any case avowed communists. Wanjiru Njoya, Orange County Register, 13 Feb. 2024 Where communists have been inconsistent, though, is on whether that number ought to be higher or lower. Chelsea Follett, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024 Recall when communists took over Russia in 1917, or when Hitler took over Germany in 1933, when communists took over Cambodia in the late 1960s, or when North Vietnam took over South Vietnam in 1975. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2024 Once again, the United States is using some communists to contain others. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Both women were known communists, at a time when those kinds of political affiliations were a dangerous thing in the U.S. For a man trusted with such political and military power, Oppenheimer left both historians and Nolan scratching their heads at the recklessness of some of his personal choices. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 29 Jan. 2024 Apple, for instance, has weathered years of critiques about its relationship to the Chinese government; no reasonable person has ever suggested this hinges on Tim Cook being a secret communist. Adi Robertson, The Verge, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'communist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near communist

Cite this Entry

“Communist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communist. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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

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