anti-comintern pact: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1+Formal / Academic / Historical
Quick answer
What does “anti-comintern pact” mean?
A formal political and military alliance signed in 1936 between Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan, officially directed against the Communist International (Comintern).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal political and military alliance signed in 1936 between Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan, officially directed against the Communist International (Comintern).
The pact, later joined by other nations like Fascist Italy, is now used historically to refer to the initial alliance forming the Axis powers, signifying a cooperative agreement specifically aimed at opposing communism or a common ideological enemy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant variation. Both use the capitalized proper noun.
Connotations
Connotes pre-World War II geopolitics, the rise of fascism, and anti-communist ideology.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Used almost exclusively in historical, political science, or military contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “anti-comintern pact” in a Sentence
[Country/Entity] signed the Anti-Comintern Pact with [Other Country].The Anti-Comintern Pact was aimed at [Target/Threat].The Anti-Comintern Pact of [Year]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anti-comintern pact” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The two regimes sought to anti-Comintern-pact themselves against the Soviet Union. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- They attempted to Anti-Comintern-Pact their foreign policy. (rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as the term does not function as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not applicable as the term does not function as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The Anti-Comintern Pact negotiations were secretive.
American English
- The Anti-Comintern Pact strategy was a key part of Axis formation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in history, political science, and international relations to discuss pre-WWII alliances.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only appear in discussions of 20th-century history.
Technical
Used as a specific historical term in military history and diplomatic studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anti-comintern pact”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anti-comintern pact”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anti-comintern pact”
- Writing it in lowercase ('anti-comintern pact').
- Confusing it with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.
- Using it to describe any modern agreement.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. The Anti-Comintern Pact (1936) was a foundational agreement against communism between Germany and Japan, later joined by Italy (1937). The formal military alliance known as the Axis was solidified later by the Tripartite Pact in 1940.
The original signatories in 1936 were Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan. Fascist Italy joined in 1937, and several other states aligned with Germany later acceded to it.
Very rarely. It is a specific historical term. It might be used figuratively or rhetorically to describe a vehemently anti-communist alliance, but this is not standard.
Comintern is a portmanteau of 'Communist International,' an organization founded in 1919 to promote world communism. It was dissolved in 1943.
A formal political and military alliance signed in 1936 between Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan, officially directed against the Communist International (Comintern).
Anti-comintern pact is usually formal / academic / historical in register.
Anti-comintern pact: in British English it is pronounced /ˌænti ˈkɒmɪntɜːn pækt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌænˌtaɪ ˈkɑːmɪntɜːrn pækt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A modern Anti-Comintern Pact (figurative use for any strong anti-communist alliance)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANTI-COMMunist INTERNational Pact = Anti-Comintern Pact. It was against the Comintern (Communist International).
Conceptual Metaphor
A PACT IS A SHIELD (against a common ideological threat).
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary stated purpose of the Anti-Comintern Pact?