leftist

or Left·ist

[ lef-tist ]

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

/ ˈlɛftɪst /

adjective

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

noun

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

leftist

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

Derived Forms

• ˈleftism, noun

Other Words From

• leftism noun
• anti·leftist adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of leftist¹

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

Example Sentences

"Pretty much all of our songs are in some way feminist or queer or leftist."

From BBC

His party has traditionally backed strong state intervention and lower taxes, and campaigned for leftist economic policies.

From BBC

Rubio is a hardliner on issues involving the leftist governments of Cuba and Venezuela, and also on Iran.

From Los Angeles Times

The leftist response is also logical, on its own terms: Democrats have tried this before, hamster-wheel style, without conclusively defeating the increasingly fash-flavored right.

From Salon

He wants to crush “the leftists” and his other “enemies.”

From Salon

Related Words

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