bolshevism

noun

bol·​she·​vism ˈbōl-shə-ˌvi-zəm How to pronounce bolshevism (audio)
ˈbȯl-
ˈbäl-
variants often Bolshevism
Synonyms of bolshevismnext
1
: the doctrine or program of the Bolsheviks advocating violent overthrow of capitalism
2
: Russian communism

Examples of bolshevism in a Sentence

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.
Even Germany, with many former Nazis regnant in public life, and unabashedly fascist Spain could be accommodated in the West’s anti-totalitarian community, helped by historians such as Ernst Nolte, who argued that Nazism and fascism were simply consequences of Bolshevism. Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025 Fear of bolshevism blended with a long-standing hostility toward certain classes of immigrants. Adam Hochschild, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bolshevism was in 1911

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bolshevism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bolshevism. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

Bolshevism

noun
Bol·​she·​vism
ˈbōl-shə-ˌviz-əm
ˈbȯl-
ˈbäl-
: the doctrine or program of the Bolsheviks

More from Merriam-Webster on bolshevism

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster