communist

noun

com·​mu·​nist ˈkäm-yə-nist 

-yü-

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 

-yü-

adjective

often Communistic

communistically

ˌkäm-yə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē 

-yü-

adverb

Synonyms of communist

• socialist

Examples of communist in a Sentence

communists were plotting an overthrow of the government

Recent Examples on the Web

The development comes as the US attempts to cut its long-time communist foe Havana off from receiving oil deliveries from its regional neighbors, a move that has exacerbated a long-standing fuel crisis on the Caribbean island. —Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026

And in the 1930s, there were a group of young, mostly Jewish kids who were communists. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026

Communists bombed buses and state buildings. —Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Set against the backdrop of 1930s East London, the musical dramatizes a pivotal historical moment when over 100,000 residents – Jews, Irish dockers, trade unionists, communists and everyday locals – united to oppose the rise of fascism in their neighborhood. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026

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