anticapitalist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Political
Quick answer
What does “anticapitalist” mean?
Opposed to capitalism or its principles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Opposed to capitalism or its principles.
Relating to or advocating for political, economic, or social systems that oppose the private ownership of capital, free-market competition, and the profit motive, often favoring socialist, anarchist, or communist alternatives.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling consistently follows the standard '-ise' vs. '-ize' and '-our' vs. '-or' conventions within broader text.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries strong political connotations. In UK discourse, it may be more frequently linked to specific political traditions (e.g., Labour's left wing, anarchist movements). In US discourse, it is often more starkly oppositional to the dominant economic ideology.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to a longer tradition of organized socialist and left-wing political movements with parliamentary representation.
Grammar
How to Use “anticapitalist” in a Sentence
be + anticapitalistdescribe as anticapitalistidentify as anticapitalistadopt an anticapitalist positionVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anticapitalist” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The manifesto outlined a clear anticapitalist agenda.
- She participated in the anticapitalist march through central London.
American English
- The book offers a sharp, anticapitalist analysis.
- His anticapitalist rhetoric resonated with the young activists.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used except in a negative or critical context (e.g., 'anticapitalist agitators').
Academic
Common in political science, sociology, and economics to describe theories, movements, or critiques.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used in political discussions, news reports on protests, or ideological self-identification.
Technical
Used as a specific descriptor in political philosophy and radical economics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anticapitalist”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anticapitalist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anticapitalist”
- Misspelling as 'anti-capitalist' (hyphenated form is also acceptable but less common in modern usage for the combined term).
- Confusing with 'anticorporate', which is a narrower critique of large companies rather than the entire economic system.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'critical of rich people' rather than the system itself.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Anticapitalist' is a broader term encompassing all ideologies opposed to capitalism (including socialism, communism, anarchism). A socialist is a specific type of anticapitalist.
The solid form 'anticapitalist' is now standard, though the hyphenated 'anti-capitalist' is still occasionally seen and is not incorrect.
No, it is a low-frequency word used primarily in academic, journalistic, or political contexts. It is not part of everyday vocabulary.
The word itself serves as both an adjective and a noun. A person who holds these views is 'an anticapitalist'. The related abstract noun is 'anticapitalism'.
Opposed to capitalism or its principles.
Anticapitalist is usually formal, academic, political in register.
Anticapitalist: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæntiˈkæpɪtəlɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæntiˈkæpɪtəlɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANTI + CAPITALIST. It's directly 'against' (anti) the 'capitalist' system.
Conceptual Metaphor
CAPITALISM IS A STRUCTURE/IDEOLOGY TO BE OPPOSED; The anticapitalist is a DISSENTER or CRITIC of that structure.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'anticapitalist' LEAST likely to be used?