Phrase guide

better dead than red

proverb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

proverb

Meaning 1

It is preferable to be deceased than to be a Communist or ruled by Communists.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, politics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

proverb

Meaning 2

Alternative form of better dead than red.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: liever dood dan rood — anti-Communist slogan
  • Dutch: beter dood dan rood — anti-Communist slogan
  • German: lieber tot als rot — anti-Communist slogan
  • German: besser tot als rot — anti-Communist slogan
  • Norwegian: heller død enn rød — anti-Communist slogan
  • Norwegian: bedre død enn rød — anti-Communist slogan
  • Swedish: hellre död än röd — anti-Communist slogan
  • Swedish: bättre död än röd — anti-Communist slogan