SOCIALISM Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

socialism

noun

Definition of socialism

as in liberalism

a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies an ardent opponent of socialism

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of socialism Advertisement Thus, the crisis of liberal democracy after 9/11 might be better understood not simply as a blowback from the war on terror, but as an aftershock of socialism’s collapse. — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026 Most often, socialism morphs into totalitarianism, as its egalitarian ideals are no match for human nature. — Nolan Finley The Detroit News, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026 Neither support socialism or are perceived as woke, which is otherwise a growing trend among Democratic challengers in the country. — Hazel Gandhi, The Providence Journal, 9 Sep. 2026 Your editorial on socialism echoes the truth compared to the nonsense the GOP is trying to promote about the intent of Democrats. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for socialism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for socialism

liberalism

Noun

This switching of places is especially true of Islam seen as an alien but also more virile force than Western liberalism, one whose power thus needs to be countered by its own weapons of solidarity and domination.

— Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
The following year she was elected to the Italian parliament for the maverick Radical Party, a bastion of anticlericalism, civil libertarianism, feminism, liberalism and radicalism in Italy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of liberalism

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“Socialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/socialism. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of socialism

noun

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