comsymp: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical, Derogatory, Political
Quick answer
What does “comsymp” mean?
A person who is sympathetic to or supportive of a political ideology, especially communism, without being an official member of a party or organization.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is sympathetic to or supportive of a political ideology, especially communism, without being an official member of a party or organization.
A derogatory term, primarily used during the Cold War, to label someone suspected of having communist sympathies. It implies intellectual alignment or fellow-travelling with a cause viewed as subversive or dangerous.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage was more prominent in American political discourse (e.g., McCarthyism). In the UK, terms like 'fellow traveller' or simply 'communist sympathizer' were more common.
Connotations
In both dialects, the term is deeply pejorative. In the US, it carries strong connotations of the Red Scare and McCarthy-era witch hunts.
Frequency
It is an archaic term in both varieties, encountered almost exclusively in historical texts, documentaries, or discussions of 20th-century politics.
Grammar
How to Use “comsymp” in a Sentence
to be labelled a comsympto accuse someone of being a comsympto harbour comsymp viewsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “comsymp” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He was blacklisted for his allegedly comsymp views during the purges.
American English
- The senator's comsymp past was dredged up by his opponents during the election.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical or political science texts discussing Cold War rhetoric and propaganda.
Everyday
Not used in modern everyday conversation. Would be recognized only as a historical term.
Technical
Not used in technical fields; specific to political discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “comsymp”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “comsymp”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “comsymp”
- Using it in contemporary political discussion; misspelling as 'compsymp' or 'consymp'; assuming it refers to an official member of a communist party.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic historical term. Using it in modern conversation would sound very odd and dated.
A 'communist' typically implies official membership or explicit ideological commitment to a communist party or doctrine. A 'comsymp' is someone merely suspected of having sympathetic views, often used as a smear against non-members.
The British term 'fellow traveller' served a very similar function, though 'comsymp' was also understood and occasionally used in UK media.
Given its heavy historical baggage related to ruined lives and careers, it is not typically used humorously. It remains a serious, pejorative term from a specific historical period.
A person who is sympathetic to or supportive of a political ideology, especially communism, without being an official member of a party or organization.
Comsymp is usually historical, derogatory, political in register.
Comsymp: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒmsɪmp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːmsɪmp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COMmunist SYMPathizer' smashed together. A 'sympathetic companion' to the communist cause, but not a card-carrying member.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE / CONTAMINATION (sympathy as a contagious ideology that weakens society).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the term 'comsymp'?