leftist

American  

[lef-tist] / ˈlɛf tɪst /

Or Leftist

noun

1. a member of the political Left or a person sympathetic to its views.

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adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or advocated by the political Left.

leftist British  

/ ˈlɛftɪst /

adjective

1. of, tending towards, or relating to the political left or its principles

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noun

1. a person who supports or belongs to the political left

leftist Cultural  

1. One who holds a left-wing viewpoint; someone who seeks radical social and economic change in the direction of greater equality.

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Other Word Forms

• antileftist adjective
• leftism noun

Etymology

Origin of leftist

First recorded in 1920–25; left ¹ + -ist

Compare meaning

How does leftist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• leftist vs. rightist

Example Sentences

The 67-year-old construction magnate and former mayor of the Honduran capital is running in a tight three-way race gainst a leftist lawyer and a fellow right-wing TV host in the Sunday vote.

From Barron's

The next year, the panel labeled the curriculum “leftist,” “antiwar” and “offensive to fundamentalists.”

From New York Times

Yet the longtime leftist has become increasingly dependent on the military, vastly expanding its budget and its responsibilities to include building airports and a giant tourist train.

From Washington Post

As much as $30 million from the arms sales was diverted, in violation of U.S. law, to aid rebels fighting the leftist government of Nicaragua.

From Seattle Times

The news immediately triggered criticism from the leftist coalition government headed by the Socialists.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• agitator
• anarchist
• extremist
• fanatic
• firebrand
• insurgent
• militant
• progressive
• rebel
• reformer
• renegade
• revolutionary
• rioter
• subversive