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

Set against the backdrop of 1930s East London, the musical dramatizes a pivotal historical moment when over 100,000 residents – Jews, Irish dockers, trade unionists, communists and everyday locals – united to oppose the rise of fascism in their neighborhood. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026

Accusations that King was a communist were one reason why the civil rights leader was the subject of constant FBI surveillance in the final years of his life. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 19 Jan. 2026

Time stopped in Cuba after the communists took over. —Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026

Finally, there’s the story about a Russian communist known as Rudolph the Red. —Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 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