communist

noun

com·​mu·​nist ˈkäm-yə-nist 

-yü-

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

communist adjective often capitalized

communistic

ˌkäm-yə-ˈni-stik 

-yü-

adjective often capitalized

communistically

ˌkäm-yə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē 

-yü-

adverb

Synonyms

• socialist

Examples of communist in a Sentence

communists were plotting an overthrow of the government

Recent Examples on the Web

The Gestapo, or secret police, were often members of the Einsatzgruppen, essentially mobile killing squads who carried out the murders of Jews, Romani and communists in Eastern Europe. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 June 2025

Much of the story — about Murrow’s conflict with Senator Joseph McCarthy over his ongoing communist witch hunt — even played out on TV, via the anchor’s nightly newscasts. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 June 2025

While the offensive was a strategic defeat for the communists, its main casualty was President Lyndon Johnson. —Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025

During the McCarthy era, the senator used the country’s fear of the spread of communism to label political foes in government, education and entertainment as communists or communist sympathizers. —Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 6 June 2025

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