communism
gb/kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm/ us/kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm/
C1
English
~ 6600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
entity
1
political ideology of common ownership
A political and economic idea that wants a classless society where factories, land, and other important things are owned by everyone together, not by private individuals.
Usage pattern:
[someone] supports/rejects [communism]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "communism" with "community" because the words look similar; however, "community" means a group of people, not a political system. Another common mistake is treating "communism" as a countable noun (e.g., *"a communism"*); it is almost always uncountable and used without *a/an*.
Synonyms
socialism (Broader and usually less radical; can allow some private property, while communism in theory abolishes it.)
|
Marxism (Refers specifically to the theories of Karl Marx; often the main intellectual basis for communism but not identical to all forms of communism.)
|
collectivism (General focus on group ownership and goals; not always explicitly political or revolutionary like communism.)
Antonyms
capitalism (Economic system based on private ownership and markets, which communism seeks to replace.)
|
liberal democracy (Political system that typically combines elections with market economies, often presented as an opposite model to communism.)
Collocations
Marxist communism
|communism and socialism
|rise of communism
|spread of communism
|support communism
|oppose communism
Themes
politics
|economics
|ideology
|history
Examples
- She began reading about communism after taking a course on political philosophy.
- The party’s program is strongly influenced by Marxist communism.
- Many young activists turned to communism in response to deep economic inequality.
- Critics argue that communism ignores individual incentives and personal freedoms.
- The book explains the differences between communism, socialism, and social democracy.
Learner examples
- He is interested in communism and reads many books about it.
- Some people think communism can create a fair society.
- At university, we talked about communism and capitalism in class.
- She joined a group that supports communism.
- They had a long debate about whether communism can work in real life.
Noun
C1
entity
2
communist one-party state system
A system of government where one communist party controls the country and the state owns or controls most big businesses and land.
Usage pattern:
live under [communism]
Common mistake:
Learners may not see the difference between communism as an idea and communism as a real government system. In history and news, "communism" often means the actual system in countries like the former Soviet Union or China, not just the theory described in books.
Synonyms
communist regime (Highlights the ruling government rather than the abstract system; often carries a critical tone.)
|
one-party state (Stresses the political structure of single-party rule; not limited only to communist systems but often used for them.)
|
state socialism (Emphasizes state control of the economy; may be used neutrally or critically for real-world communist governments.)
Antonyms
liberal democracy (Stands in contrast with competitive elections, multiple parties, and civil liberties.)
|
market economy (Opposite in terms of economic organization, based largely on private ownership and market forces.)
Collocations
under communism
|life under communism
|collapse of communism
|the end of communism
|state communism
|communism in Eastern Europe
Themes
politics
|history
|economics
Examples
- Her parents grew up under communism and later emigrated to a market economy.
- After the fall of communism, many state-owned factories were privatized.
- The documentary shows everyday life in Poland during communism.
- With the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, new political parties quickly appeared.
- Tourists can now visit archives that were secret under communism.
Learner examples
- People had limited choices of products under communism.
- After communism ended, the country changed very quickly.
- He was a journalist during communism and could not write freely.
- Many people lost their jobs when communism collapsed.
- Her family remembers life under communism very well.
Grammar
Dictionary form
communism
IPA
GB/kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm/
US/kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
com - mun - ism (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: communism
- Plural: communism
Word family
Expressions
communism and capitalism
1/kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm ˈænd kˈæpɪtəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
contrast between two economic systems
A way to talk about or compare the two main economic and political systems: communism and capitalism.
Examples
- The course looks at communism and capitalism from a historical perspective.
- Students debated the advantages of communism and capitalism.
fight against communism
1/fˈaɪt əɡˈɛnst kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
efforts to oppose communism
Actions taken to stop or reduce the power or ideas of communism.
Examples
- The government used propaganda in its fight against communism.
- Many policies were justified as part of the fight against communism during the Cold War.
the collapse of communism
1/ðə kəlˈæps əv kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
sudden failure of communist systems
The fast and complete end of communist governments, especially in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.
Examples
- The collapse of communism changed the political map of Europe.
- Economists still study the collapse of communism to understand system change.
the fall of communism
1/ðə fˈɔl əv kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
end of communist rule
The time when communist governments lost power in several countries, especially in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union around 1989–1991.
Examples
- The fall of communism opened the way for new political parties.
- After the fall of communism, many people started private businesses.
the spread of communism
1/ðə spɹˈɛd əv kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
expansion of communism to countries
The way communism grew and came to more countries, especially during the 20th century.
Examples
- During the Cold War, many Western leaders worried about the spread of communism.
- The revolution led to the spread of communism in neighboring states.
the threat of communism
1/ðə θɹˈɛt əv kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
perceived danger from communism
The fear that communism will grow stronger or will take control in more places.
Examples
- Politicians often spoke about the threat of communism in the 1950s.
- Laws were passed because of the perceived threat of communism.
turn to communism
1/tˈɚn tə kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
start supporting communism
To start believing in communism or to change a country’s system to communism.
Examples
- Many workers turned to communism during the economic crisis.
- The country turned to communism after a violent revolution.
under communism
1/ˈʌndɚ kˈɑmjənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
during rule by communism
When a country is in a time when a communist government and system are in control.
Examples
- Under communism, most businesses were owned by the state.
- Many people could not travel freely under communism.