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

In an interview with Morning Edition's Steve Inskeep, Khanna discusses why Democrats should nominate a progressive candidate and shouldn't be scared of being labeled a communist. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026

Republicans see an opportunity here, portraying progressive and socialist Democrats as lunatics and communists. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

The John Birch Society, an organization that also alleged that communists were behind the Civil Rights Movement, agreed. — Aaron Coy Moulton, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026

Yet, in America hard core cadres of extreme, violence-friendly leftists, who are communists in all but name, are poised to gain control of the Democratic Party. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 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