comrade
11 synonyms for comrade, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A close companion or fellow member of a group, especially one who shares the same struggle or cause.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use comrade
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fellow comrade
comrades in arms
a loyal comrade
Outside its political use, "comrade" sounds slightly old-fashioned or literary compared to everyday words like "friend" or "buddy."
Etymology
Traces back through French camarade to Spanish and Italian words meaning "chamber mate" — someone who shared a room, especially soldiers billeted together.
Full origin of comrade →Frequently asked questions
What does “comrade” mean?
The word “comrade” means a close companion or fellow member of a group, especially one who shares the same struggle or cause. In plain terms, a trusted companion, especially someone you've been through hardship or a shared cause with — also a formal title used in socialist and communist movements.
How do you pronounce “comrade”?
“Comrade” is pronounced KOM-rayd (/ˈkɑmɹæd/ in IPA).
How do you use “comrade” in a sentence?
Here is “comrade” used in a sentence: “He stayed loyal to his old comrades from the army long after the war ended.”
What is another word for “comrade”?
Words with a similar meaning to “comrade” include battle buddy, tovarish and compagno.
What part of speech is “comrade”?
“Comrade” is a noun.
Where does the word “comrade” come from?
The word “comrade” comes from French. Traces back through French camarade to Spanish and Italian words meaning "chamber mate" — someone who shared a room, especially soldiers billeted together.
Is “comrade” a common word?
“Comrade” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “comrade” have?
“Comrade” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a close companion or fellow member of a group, especially one who shares the same struggle or cause.
What is the difference between "comrade" and "friend"?
A "friend" is simply someone you like and enjoy spending time with, while a "comrade" more specifically implies a companion who shares the same struggle, cause, or group membership, such as soldiers or activists. "Comrade" carries a stronger sense of solidarity and shared purpose than the more general word "friend."
Why is "comrade" associated with communism?
"Comrade" has long been used as a term of address among socialists, communists, and members of certain political movements, functioning similarly to "Mr." or "Ms." This political usage is why the word is strongly associated with communist and socialist movements in particular.
Is it common to call someone "comrade" in everyday English?
Outside of political movements or military contexts, "comrade" is not common in everyday English and can sound formal, old-fashioned, or ideologically loaded. In most casual conversation, words like "friend" or "buddy" are used instead.
