What does anticommunist mean?
An anticommunist is a person who opposes communism — the political and economic ideology advocating collective ownership of property and a classless society — whether on philosophical, religious, economic, or national-security grounds. The word also functions as an adjective, as in 'an anticommunist government' or 'anticommunist propaganda'. The term rose to prominence during the twentieth century, when ideological conflict between communist states such as the Soviet Union and their opponents defined global politics, particularly throughout the Cold War. Figures described as anticommunists range from democratic politicians and labour leaders who rejected Soviet-style rule to authoritarian regimes that suppressed leftist movements. Both spellings, 'anticommunist' and 'anti-communist', are accepted. Because the word sits at the centre of some of history's fiercest political debates, its connotations vary: for some it signals principled defence of liberty, while for others it evokes persecution or repression. Understanding it is essential for reading twentieth-century history and much modern political commentary.
A person who opposes communism or communist ideology, parties, or governments.
"He spent his career as an outspoken anticommunist, writing books critical of Soviet policy."
Often used of prominent political figures, dissidents, or activists identified with opposition to communism.
Opposed to, or directed against, communism or communist principles.
"The anticommunist legislation passed in 1947 restricted certain labour union activities."
Frequently appears in historical and political writing about the Cold War era.
Standard plural; used when referring to multiple individuals opposed to communism.
"The delegation included several prominent anticommunists from across Europe."
The word 'anticommunist' helped define an entire era: the Cold War was, in many ways, a decades-long argument between communists and anticommunists over the shape of the modern world.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anticommunist
Anticommunist combines the prefix 'anti-', from Greek meaning 'against', with 'communist', which derives from 'communism' via French 'communisme' and ultimately from Latin 'communis', meaning 'common' or 'shared by all'. The word emerged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as communism itself developed into an organized political movement following the publication of the Communist Manifesto in 1848. Its cognates include other words built on the Latin root 'communis', such as 'communal', 'community', and 'communication'. The term became especially widespread during the Cold War era.
Related word forms
How anticommunist is actually used
Both the solid spelling 'anticommunist' and the hyphenated 'anti-communist' are widely accepted; hyphenation is somewhat more common in British usage. The term is largely neutral in register but can carry strong political connotations depending on context — it may be used self-descriptively with pride or pejoratively to imply reactionary politics. It is most strongly associated with 20th-century Cold War discourse but remains current wherever communist movements or states are discussed.
Easily confused with anticommunist
A communist supports communist ideology, whereas an anticommunist actively opposes it — the two are near-opposites despite sharing the same root.