communist

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noun com·mu·nist \ ˈkäm-yə-nist , -yü- \

Definition of communist

1 :an adherent or advocate of communism

2 capitalized :communard

3 a capitalized :a member of a Communist party or movement

b often capitalized :an adherent or advocate of a Communist government, party, or movement

4 often capitalized :one held to engage in left-wing, subversive, or revolutionary activities

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communist

adjective, often capitalized

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communistic

play \ˌkäm-yə-ˈni-stik, -yü-\ adjective, often capitalized

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communistically

play \ˌkäm-yə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē, -yü-\ adverb

See communist defined for English-language learners

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Examples of communist in a Sentence

communists were plotting an overthrow of the government

Recent Examples of communist from the Web

In parts of Eastern Europe, bans expressly extend to communist iconography.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "In German village, church bell still tolls for Hitler," 19 Aug. 2017
Over the years, the group has been tied to conspiracy theories, with founder Robert Welch famously believing fluoride in the water was a communist plot to harm Americans.

— allie gross, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan has long been fertile ground for the far right," 17 Aug. 2017
North Korea has complicated history with the Persian Gulf dating back to its training of communist fighters in Oman's Dhofar rebellion that began in the 1960s.

— Bloomberg.com, "Thousands of North Korean Laborers in US-allied Gulf Nations," 28 July 2017
Capell, who never received serious backing for his theory, also went on to accuse Monroe, her doctors, and ex-husband, playwright Arthur Miller of being communists.

— peggy truong, Cosmopolitan, "The Craziest Conspiracy Theories About Marilyn Monroe's Death," 27 July 2017
Some of those groups, such as the right-wing Korea Parent Federation, used to hold noisy protests in central Seoul denouncing Ms. Park’s critics as communists.

— choe sang-hun, New York Times, "6 Ex-Officials in South Korea Are Sentenced for Blacklisting Artists," 27 July 2017
Christie calls Mike in Montclair a bum and a communist.

— gabriella paiella and jessica roy, The Cut, "This Week in Drama: Kardashian Kocaine Rumors, Chris Christie Gets Fat-Shamed, and Multiple Trump-Email Leaks," 14 July 2017
In communist Cuba, everyone ostensibly works for the government for minuscule wages.

— marla jo fisher, idahostatesman, "Why you should get to Cuba now," 14 July 2017
Through four decades of communist rule, Poland and the other captive nations of Europe endured a brutal campaign to demolish freedom, your faith, your laws, your history, your identity -- indeed the very essence of your culture and your humanity.

— CNN, "Trump's speech in Warsaw (full transcript, video)," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'communist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of communist

see communism

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1840

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communist Synonyms

Synonyms

commie, comrade, Red, socialist

Antonyms

capitalist

Related Words

leftist, lefty, pink, pinko, social democrat; Bolshevik, Leninist, Leninite, Maoist, Marxist, Stalinist, Trotskyist, Trotskyite; extremist, radical, revolutionary, revolutionist

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

COMMUNIST Defined for English Language Learners

communist

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noun

Definition of communist for English Language Learners

: a person who believes in communism or is a member of a political party that supports communism

COMMUNIST Defined for Kids

communist

play

noun com·mu·nist \ ˈkä-myə-nəst \

Definition of communist for Students

:a person who supports communism

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communist

Definition of communist

communist

communistic

communistically

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Examples of communist in a Sentence

Recent Examples of communist from the Web

Origin and Etymology of communist

communist Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Other Government and Politics Terms

COMMUNIST Defined for English Language Learners

communist

Definition of communist for English Language Learners

COMMUNIST Defined for Kids

communist

Definition of communist for Students

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