capitalist

1 of 2

noun

cap·​i·​tal·​ist ˈka-pə-tə-list How to pronounce capitalist (audio)
ˈkap-tə-
Synonyms of capitalistnext
1
: a person who has capital especially invested in business
industrial capitalists
broadly : a person of wealth : plutocrat
Charitable organizations often seek help from capitalists.
2
: a person who favors capitalism

capitalist

2 of 2

adjective

variants or capitalistic
ˌka-pə-tə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce capitalist (audio)
ˌkap-tə-
1
: owning capital
the capitalist class
2
a
: practicing or advocating capitalism
capitalist nations
b
: marked by capitalism
capitalist period of history
capitalistically
ˌka-pə-tə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce capitalist (audio)
ˌkap-tə-
adverb

Synonyms of capitalist

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Noun

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Examples of capitalist in a Sentence

Noun capitalists who lost everything in the '29 Crash
Recent Examples on the Web
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
At the time, Truell hadn’t founded a company; but three years later, the venture capitalist persuaded her firm, BoxGroup, to invest in the Gen Z engineering savant’s nascent business. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 Jones, a former venture capitalist, is up to roughly $10 million in self-funding, according to the Federal Election Commission website. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America is divided over whether the AI industry is a destructive capitalist force that could kill everyone, or merely an overhyped capitalist hustle. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026 But this must be expected from a capitalist system designed to exploit the working class and enrich the ruling class. — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capitalist

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably borrowed from French capitaliste "person possessing capital," from capital capital entry 2 + -iste -ist entry 1

Adjective

capital entry 2 + -ist entry 2, after capitalist entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of capitalist was in 1774

Phrases Containing capitalist

Browse Nearby Words

capital issue
capitalist
capitalization
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Cite this Entry

“Capitalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capitalist. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

capitalist

noun
cap·​i·​tal·​ist
ˈkap-ət-ᵊl-əst, 
ˈkap-tᵊl-
1
: a person who has capital and especially business capital
2
: a person who supports capitalism
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