What does "commissar" mean?
An official of the Communist Party, often attached to a military unit, who was responsible for political education.
Commissar
/ˈkɑ.məˌsɑɹ/ noun, slang
noun, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An official of the Communist Party, often attached to a military unit, who was responsible for political education.
- Grammar: commissar is listed as noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: political commissar, absolute monarch, absolute ruler, alderman.
- Useful contrasts: military commander, military officer.
- Usage evidence: In this house, a political commissar died yesterday.
How to use "commissar"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "commissar" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "commissar" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "commissar" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "commissar" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "commissar" is acting as noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "political commissar" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "commissar", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An official of the Communist Party, often attached to a military unit, who was responsible for political education. historical
"On Monday, state media named Wang Houbin as commander of the Rocket Force and Xu Xisheng as the political commissar of the force in a report highlighting their promotion to the rank of general by Chinese leader Xi Jinping."
- 2 an official of the Communist Party who was assigned to teach party principles to a military unit wordnet
- 3 The head of a commissariat. historical
- 4 A political functionary whose job is to push the party or government line. colloquial, humorous, often
"There is a dangerous censoriousness pulsing through American society. In small towns and big cities alike, would-be commissars are fighting, in the name of a distinct minority of Americans, to stifle open discussion and impose their views on the community at large. Dissenters, when they speak out, are hounded, ostracized and sometimes even forced from their jobs."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
military commandermilitary officer
Example
"In this house, a political commissar died yesterday."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "commissar"?
Common synonyms include: political commissar, absolute monarch, absolute ruler, alderman, all-powerful ruler, archon.
How do you use "commissar" in a sentence?
In this house, a political commissar died yesterday.
How do you pronounce "commissar"?
Pronounced /ˈkɑ.məˌsɑɹ/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Russian комисса́р (komissár), from German Kommissar (“commissioner”), from Latin commissarius, from commissus, past participle of committō (“to commit, entrust to”). Doublet of commissary.