bolshevism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Academic, Pejorative
Quick answer
What does “bolshevism” mean?
The political and economic ideology developed by Vladimir Lenin, advocating the overthrow of capitalism by a revolutionary proletariat, state ownership of production, and a dictatorship of the Communist Party.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The political and economic ideology developed by Vladimir Lenin, advocating the overthrow of capitalism by a revolutionary proletariat, state ownership of production, and a dictatorship of the Communist Party.
A term used more broadly and often pejoratively to refer to any radical, militant, or authoritarian left-wing doctrine or revolutionary movement. In modern discourse, it is often a historical term for the ideology of the early Soviet Union or a rhetorical label for any perceived extreme collectivism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences. The term is equally historical/academic in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong historical connotations (early 20th century) and is heavily associated with the Russian Revolution and Cold War rhetoric. In contemporary political discourse, it is used almost exclusively by critics.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, primarily found in history texts, political theory, and polemical writing.
Grammar
How to Use “bolshevism” in a Sentence
[Opponent/Government] condemned/feared/opposed the spread of Bolshevism.[Historian] analysed the roots of Bolshevism in [context].[Ideology] was denounced as a form of Bolshevism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bolshevism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare; 'to bolshevise') After the revolution, the government sought to bolshevise the industrial sector.
American English
- (Rare; 'to bolshevize') The militants aimed to bolshevize the labour movement.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. Concept expressed via phrases) They organised themselves, bolshevik-style, into a tight cadre.
American English
- (No standard adverbial form) He argued bolshevikly for the immediate seizure of power.
adjective
British English
- The bolshevik revolution transformed Russian society.
- He held bolshevik sympathies in his youth.
American English
- Bolshevik ideology was a major focus of Cold War policy.
- She wrote about the Bolshevik takeover in 1917.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except in historical case studies of economic systems.
Academic
Used frequently in history, political science, and Russian studies to describe the specific ideology of the Bolshevik faction and its legacy.
Everyday
Extremely rare. If used, it is typically in a metaphorical or pejorative sense (e.g., 'His plan for the committee is pure bolshevism!').
Technical
Used precisely in political theory and historical analysis to distinguish Leninist ideology from other socialist/communist movements (e.g., Menshevism, Trotskyism).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bolshevism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bolshevism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bolshevism”
- Confusing 'Bolshevism' with general 'communism' or 'socialism' without historical specificity.
- Using it as a contemporary political label, which sounds archaic or excessively polemical.
- Misspelling as 'Bolshevikism' (non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Bolshevism is a specific, revolutionary form of Communism developed by Lenin, focused on a vanguard party seizing power. Communism is a broader, older umbrella term for various ideologies seeking a classless, stateless society.
As a formal, self-identified ideology, it is largely historical. However, its legacy influences some communist parties, and the term is still used rhetorically to criticise socialist or authoritarian policies.
Due to its association with the authoritarian Soviet state, the Cold War, and historical Western anti-communism, it accrued strong negative connotations, especially in mainstream political discourse.
Yes, but rarely outside of dedicated historical or Marxist-Leninist contexts. In such cases, it is used positively to describe Lenin's revolutionary theory and practice.
The political and economic ideology developed by Vladimir Lenin, advocating the overthrow of capitalism by a revolutionary proletariat, state ownership of production, and a dictatorship of the Communist Party.
Bolshevism is usually formal, historical, academic, pejorative in register.
Bolshevism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒlʃəvɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈboʊlʃəˌvɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms; the term itself is often used as a political epithet.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BOLShevik' + 'ISM' – The 'ism' (ideology) of the BOLS (majority) party in Russia.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often metaphorically framed as a **VIRUS** or **CONTAGION** (spread of bolshevism), a **FLOOD** (tide of bolshevism), or a **SPECTRE** (spectre of bolshevism) in anti-communist rhetoric.
Practice
Quiz
In modern political discourse, the term 'Bolshevism' is most likely to be used: