counterrevolution

noun

coun·​ter·​rev·​o·​lu·​tion ˌkau̇n-tər-ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce counterrevolution (audio)
ˌkau̇n-tə-
1
: a revolution directed toward overthrowing a government or social system established by a previous revolution
2
: a movement to counteract revolutionary trends
counterrevolutionary adjective or noun

Examples of counterrevolution in a Sentence

The leader vowed to stop any attempt at counterrevolution. Soldiers loyal to the President led the counterrevolution.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These choices take command of the struggle against any possible counterrevolution. Armond White, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025 The Thatcher-Reagan neoliberal counterrevolution combined with reactionary populist anti-intellectualism to seemingly seal the ivory tower’s fate—and to attack universities as bastions of campus revolt and as alternative centers of civil society. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 Jan. 2025 The phenomenal success of this counterrevolution was due to a simple insight. Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 What is still missing from this broad narrative is a full understanding of how this neoliberal counterrevolution succeeded in changing everything. Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for counterrevolution 

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterrevolution was in 1793

Dictionary Entries Near counterrevolution

Cite this Entry

“Counterrevolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterrevolution. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

counterrevolution

noun
coun·​ter·​rev·​o·​lu·​tion ˌkau̇nt-ə(r)-ˌrev-ə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce counterrevolution (audio)
: a revolution intended to overthrow a government established by an earlier revolution
counterrevolutionary adjective or noun
counterrevolutionist
-ˈlü-sh(ə-)nəst
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on counterrevolution

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