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

The 37-year-old is a Democratic socialist, and her race will demonstrate that faction's ability to win statewide races, not just districts. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Fetterman is viewed as a centrist maverick lawmaker more in line with Schumer’s establishment take on policies than with socialists and progressives in the Democratic Party, whose voices are growing louder in Congress and across the country. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 July 2026

Now, large parts of the city's democratic socialist left no longer see her as their standard-bearer, even though she is routinely portrayed by critics as the face of that coalition. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026

Earlier this month, political newcomer Melat Kiros, who like Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist, easily defeated a longtime congresswoman in Colorado. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 25 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing socialist

• anti-socialist
• socialist realism