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Synonyms

leftist

American  
[lef-tist] / ˈlɛf tɪst /
Or Leftist

noun

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

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

"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

noun

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

"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
leftist Cultural  

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

Other Word Forms

  • antileftist adjective
  • leftism noun

Etymology

Origin of leftist

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

Compare meaning

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In Paris, the race is looking tight between leftist Emmanuel Gregoire, a former deputy of outgoing Socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo, and his runner-up, right-wing ex-minister Rachida Dati.

From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026

Beyond the top three, leftist Rae Huang notched support from 8% of those polled, while tech entrepreneur Adam Miller drew 6%.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

Tech entrepreneur Adam Miller was supported by just over 4% of those polled, with leftist candidate Rae Huang at about 3%.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Petro, a former guerrilla, became Colombia's first-ever leftist leader in 2022.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

A talented musician, he socialized with what he described as an “exciting group of leftist intellectuals and bon vivants” in San Francisco.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.