communist

American  

[kom-yuh-nist] / ˈkɒm yə nɪst /

noun

1. (initial capital letter) a member of the Communist Party or movement.

2. an advocate of communism.

3. a person who is regarded as supporting politically leftist or subversive causes.

4. (usually initial capital letter) a Communard.

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adjective

1. (initial capital letter) of or relating to the Communist Party or to Communism.

2. pertaining to communists or communism.

communist British  

/ ˈkɒmjʊnɪst /

noun

1. a supporter of any form of communism

2. (often capital) a supporter of Communism or a Communist movement or state

3. (often capital) a member of a Communist party

4. (often capital) any person holding left-wing views, esp when considered subversive

5. a person who practises communal living; communalist

6. another name for Communard

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adjective

1. of, characterized by, favouring, or relating to communism; communistic

communist Cultural  

1. A supporter of communism.

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Other Word Forms

• anticommunist noun
• anticommunistic adjective
• anticommunistical adjective
• anticommunistically adverb
• communistic adjective
• communistical adjective
• communistically adverb
• procommunist adjective

Etymology

Origin of communist

From the French word communiste, dating back to 1835–45. See common, -ist

Example Sentences

A writer, he once worked on cultural issues for Cuba’s communist government, before moving abroad.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

But many experts caution that predictions of communist rule ending have proved illusory.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Now a picturesque destination for tourists, Prague has been an imperial capital, a flashpoint in religious wars and the site of communist crackdowns.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

The US and Cuba have had strained relations since communist leader Fidel Castro overthrew a US-backed government in 1959.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Throughout the Cold War, the communist world saw its spies and spymasters come and go; Markus Wolf outlasted all of them.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau