bolshevist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low (Historical/Academic)
UK/ˈbɒlʃəvɪst/US/ˈboʊlʃəvɪst/

Formal, Historical, Political; often pejorative in contemporary use.

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Quick answer

What does “bolshevist” mean?

A person who supports or advocates for Bolshevism, the communist ideology and political movement led by Lenin that seized power in Russia in 1917.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A person who supports or advocates for Bolshevism, the communist ideology and political movement led by Lenin that seized power in Russia in 1917.

By extension, a radical revolutionary or extremist, often used pejoratively to describe someone with uncompromising, authoritarian leftist views. In historical context, specifically a member of the Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage is largely similar, tied to discussions of 20th-century history and political theory. Slightly more likely to appear in British historical writing due to earlier and more sustained engagement with Soviet politics.

Connotations

Strongly negative in general political discourse, implying dogmatism, revolutionary violence, and totalitarianism. Neutral or precise in academic historical writing.

Frequency

Very low frequency in both dialects, confined to specific contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “bolshevist” in a Sentence

[Bolshevist] + [noun: leader, faction, theory][adjective] + [Bolshevist]accuse + [object] + of being a [Bolshevist]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
hardline Bolshevistcommitted BolshevistLeninist Bolshevist
medium
Bolshevist ideologyBolshevist revolutionBolshevist regime
weak
Bolshevist sympathiesBolshevist rhetoricold Bolshevist

Examples

Examples of “bolshevist” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • His Bolshevist leanings were evident from his writings.
  • They were accused of harbouring Bolshevist sympathies.

American English

  • The group followed a strict Bolshevist ideology.
  • She rejected his Bolshevist arguments for immediate revolution.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Used in historical, political science, and Soviet studies contexts to describe adherents.

Everyday

Rare, except as a political insult.

Technical

Specific term in historical/political analysis.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “bolshevist”

Strong

radical revolutionaryhardline communist

Neutral

Weak

leftist extremistdoctrinaire

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “bolshevist”

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “bolshevist”

  • Using 'Bolshevist' to refer to any modern communist, which is anachronistic. Confusing spelling: 'Bolshevik' (noun/adjective) vs. 'Bolshevist' (noun, often implying an ideologue).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

'Bolshevik' is the more common term for a member or supporter of the Bolshevik party, and can be used as a noun or adjective. 'Bolshevist' is also a noun, but often carries a stronger implication of adherence to the ideology or doctrine, and can sound slightly more formal or pejorative.

Yes, but primarily in historical analysis or as a political insult. It is not used to describe contemporary mainstream political movements accurately.

Yes, though 'Bolshevik' is more frequent. 'Bolshevist' as an adjective (e.g., 'Bolshevist ideology') is grammatically correct and used, particularly when emphasizing doctrinal aspects.

Initially, their main opponents were the Mensheviks (another Marxist faction), Tsarist forces, and later the anti-communist White Army during the Russian Civil War. In broader political terms, they were opposed by liberals, conservatives, and democratic socialists.

A person who supports or advocates for Bolshevism, the communist ideology and political movement led by Lenin that seized power in Russia in 1917.

Bolshevist is usually formal, historical, political; often pejorative in contemporary use. in register.

Bolshevist: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒlʃəvɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈboʊlʃəvɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • Bolshevist tactics (implying ruthless, underhanded methods)
  • a regular little Bolshevist (pejorative for a stubbornly argumentative person)

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'BOLShevik + IST' – a person who is part of the BOLS (a bold, revolutionary group).

Conceptual Metaphor

POLITICAL EXTREMISM IS A DISEASE / REVOLUTIONARY IS A MACHINE (ruthless, uncompromising).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The split between the and Menshevik factions was a pivotal moment in Russian revolutionary history.
Multiple Choice

In modern political discourse, 'Bolshevist' is most commonly used to: