Stalinism

1 of 3

noun (1)

Sta·​lin·​ism ˈstä-lə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce Stalinism (audio)
ˈsta-
Synonyms of Stalinismnext
: the political, economic, and social principles and policies associated with Joseph Stalin
especially : the theory and practice of communism developed by Stalin from Marxism-Leninism and marked especially by rigid authoritarianism, widespread use of terror, and often emphasis on Russian nationalism
Stalinist
ˈstä-lə-nist How to pronounce Stalinism (audio)
ˈsta-
noun or adjective
Stalinize
ˈstä-lə-ˌnīz How to pronounce Stalinism (audio)
ˈsta-
transitive verb
Stalinoid
ˈstä-lə-ˌnȯid How to pronounce Stalinism (audio)
ˈsta-
noun or adjective

Stalinoid

2 of 3

adjective

Sta·​lin·​oid ˈstä-lə-ˌnȯid How to pronounce Stalinoid (audio)
ˈsta-
: favorable to or influenced by Stalinism
Stalinoid Marxism
Stalinoid propaganda

Stalinoid

3 of 3

noun (2)

Sta·​lin·​oid ˈstä-lə-ˌnȯid How to pronounce Stalinoid (audio)
ˈsta-
plural -s
: a Stalinoid person

Examples of Stalinism in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Like Stalinism or the Khmer Rouge, anti-Zionism represents a wrong turn for the left. — Adam Louis-Klein, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026 In these respects, apart from the harlequin excesses of his Stalinism, Cowley is terrifically sound. — Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 Medieval threat to democracy The rhetoric of absolving Stalinism goes hand in hand with popularizing the state’s version of the Russian Middle Ages through public media channels. — Dina Khapaeva, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2025 This critique involved not just intellectuals on the left, but also famous American realists who played a key part in rallying U.S. liberal opinion to resist Nazism and Stalinism. — Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Stalinism

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Joseph Stalin †1953 Russian political leader + English -oid, adjective suffix

Noun (2)

Joseph Stalin †1953 + English -oid, noun suffix

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Stalinism was in 1927

Rhymes for Stalinism

See All Rhymes for Stalinism

Browse Nearby Words

Stalin
Stalinism
Stalinist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stalinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Stalinism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Stalinism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Stalinism

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