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 shift has become a lightning rod for Republicans, who are aggressively branding Democrats as communists. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 17 July 2026

Now, none of the Democratic socialists who are on the ballot identify as communists. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 14 July 2026

To be clear, the Democratic Party has not been taken over by communists. — Nik Popli, Time, 13 July 2026

Communists want to end capitalism and replace it with a system where almost all private property is outlawed and the economy is completely run by the state. — Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 10 July 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