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

While both parties have long wrestled with warring factions in their ranks, the ideological rift is on full display this year, especially among Democrats, as democratic socialists test just how far to the left voters are willing to go. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 27 June 2026

The democratic socialist campaigned explicitly on freezing rents for regulated apartments and holds sole authority to appoint the Rent Guidelines Board’s members. — Kimberly Hayek, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026

In New York, Democratic primary elections produced striking victories for democratic socialists, suggesting that the insurgent left has found a way to turn protest into power. — Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 26 June 2026

Mamdani, Valdez, and Avila Chevalier all identify as socialists, with their success concerning more centrist Democrats since elsewhere in the country their party’s candidates are trying to win in battleground districts. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing socialist

• anti-socialist
• socialist realism