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

Democratic socialists hope to ride wave of momentum The democratic socialist movement appears to be gaining momentum over a decade after Republicans rode the tea party wave. — Gaby Vinick, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Yet despite the faction’s inability to win in purple or red districts, democratic socialists enjoy a net favorability of 17 points among Democratic voters nationwide, compared with just 4 points for Democratic members of Congress. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was quick to congratulate the democratic socialists who defeated incumbent members of his caucus in primaries, even though their policies are much further left than his own. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2026

June’s primary victories by left-wing candidates in New York have been described as a political earthquake, with insurgent socialists winning races statewide, including high-profile congressional victories and nearly a dozen more downballot. — Danny Kaplowitz, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing socialist

• anti-socialist
• socialist realism