REVOLUTION Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'revolution' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revolution are insurrection , mutiny , rebellion , revolt , and uprising . While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government). // a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

Q: When is 'mutiny' a more appropriate choice than 'revolution'?

Although the words mutiny and revolution have much in common, mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority. // a mutiny led by the ship's cook

Q: When would 'rebellion' be a good substitute for 'revolution'?

The meanings of rebellion and revolution largely overlap; however, rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful. // open rebellion against the officers

Q: How are the words 'revolt' and 'insurrection' related as synonyms of 'revolution'?

Both revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds. // a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders // an insurrection of oppressed laborers

Q: When could 'uprising' be used to replace 'revolution'?

The words uprising and revolution are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion. // quickly put down the uprising

revolution

noun

ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən

Definition of revolution next

as in rotation

a rapid turning about on an axis or central point revved the engine to 3000 revolutions per minute

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as in revolt

open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the revolution by which the American colonies gained their independence from Great Britain necessitated going up against the world's most powerful army

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun revolution differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revolution are insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolt, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

When is mutiny a more appropriate choice than revolution?

Although the words mutiny and revolution have much in common, mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

When would rebellion be a good substitute for revolution?

The meanings of rebellion and revolution largely overlap; however, rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

How are the words revolt and insurrection related as synonyms of revolution?

Both revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds.

a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders

an insurrection of oppressed laborers

When could uprising be used to replace revolution?

The words uprising and revolution are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of revolution Regulatory attempts like these reveal that salutary intentions and the realities of the market do not always align, and cast into doubt the feasibility of wholesale revolution in a food supply dependent on unhealthy food. —

Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 One area, in particular, experiencing a cultural revolution is the Saudi culinary world, which is spearheaded by (and for) women, who are opening restaurants, running kitchens, and innovating around nutrition. —

Paul Feinstein, Travel + Leisure, 24 Dec. 2024 Her resilience and perseverance, coupled with a laser focus on customer needs, have propelled Creatio to a $1.2 billion valuation and cemented its position as a leader in the no-code revolution. —

Geri Stengel, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 After the Libyan revolution in 2011, the new government in Tripoli informed the OPCW about the presence of undeclared chemical weapons that Qaddafi had concealed from inspectors. —

Gregory D. Koblentz, Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for revolution

Recent Examples of Synonyms for revolution

Noun

The Baltimore Orioles, looking to boost their starting rotation, have invested in a free-agent pitcher from Japan.

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Yet the rotation out of cyclicals and into tech hasn’t been uniform.

Fred Imbert, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024