ENGLISH
REFERENCE

islamist

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈɪsɫəmɪst// is·lamist Archaic

n. someone who believes that government and society should be run according to the rules of Islam. This word usually describes political movements rather than just personal religious beliefs.

n. an advocate or supporter of a political movement that seeks to implement Islamic law and principles as the basis of government and society. Often carries a political rather than purely theological connotation in modern discourse.


SIMPLE

The Islamist party won the local elections last month.

CONTEXTUAL

Political analysts debated whether the new Islamist movement would participate in the democratic process or seek to change the constitution.

COMPLEX

The rise of Islamist groups in the region during the late twentieth century fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape, challenging secular nationalist frameworks that had dominated for decades.

Origin

From Islam + -ist. Compare Islamicist.

Usage

Often used as a modifier before other nouns (e.g., 'Islamist group', 'Islamist ideology').

Pitfall

He is a very Islamist person.He is an Islamist.Islamist is primarily a noun or a non-gradable modifier; it is not used as a gradable adjective to describe personal piety.

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