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Gorbachev

American  
[gawr-buh-chof, -chawf, guhr-buh-chawf] / ˈgɔr bəˌtʃɒf, -ˌtʃɔf, gər bʌˈtʃɔf /

noun

  1. Mikhail S(ergeyevich) 1931–2022, Soviet political leader: general secretary of the Communist Party 1985–91; the last president of the Soviet Union 1988–91; Nobel Peace Prize 1990.


Gorbachev British  
/ ɡərbaˈtʃɒf /

noun

  1. Mikhail Sergeevich (mixaˈil sirˈɡjejivitʃ). born 1931, Soviet statesman; general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party (1985–91): president (1988–91). Nobel peace prize 1990. His reforms ended the Communist monopoly of power and led to the break-up of the Soviet Union

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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Appointed vice premier under then-leader Jiang Zemin in 1991, he found himself nicknamed China's Mikhail Gorbachev after the reformist former president of the Soviet Union.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

When Mikhail Gorbachev eased political oppression a few years later, the ideas held by those dissenting groups were adopted by millions, making the collapse of the Soviet Union inevitable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

Mikhail Gorbachev forced the Soviet Union to reform.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026

It was more than two weeks before Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev spoke about it publicly.

From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2026

As I put the final touches on the East-West blockade, Cade thumped his way through the door bracing a heavy, sloshing cooler against his knees, and said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith

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