When they came for the trade unionists, I said nothing, because I was not a trade unionist.
Source: tatoeba (8808259)
Unionists
Synonyms for "unionists" (21 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (5)
Noun(4 words)
Strong matches (6)
Noun(3 words)
Adjective(1 words)
political compact
Related words (10)
Noun(10 words)
pro-laborpro-unionunificationistunion advocateunion loyalistunion proponentunion supporterunion-friendlyunion-supportingyankee
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: trade unionist, union member, cardholder, constitutional loyalist, federalist.
- Sentence evidence is available for unionists, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "unionists".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "unionists"
Keep "unionists" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "unionists" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "unionists", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "unionists" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Sample sentences
3 total sentences available.
When the Nazis came for the communists, I said nothing, because I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I said nothing, because I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I said nothing, because I was not a trade unionist. When they came for me, there was no one left who could protest.
Source: tatoeba (11235022)
Twelve separatists were convicted and given long prison sentences for their roles in holding the banned secession referendum in 2017. They then declared independence a few days after the results. Unionists boycotted the referendum, which was held amid a large police presence intent on stopping it.
Source: tatoeba (12231551)
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "unionists"?
Closest matches include trade unionist, union member, cardholder, constitutional loyalist, federalist.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "unionists"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.