revolution

noun

ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce revolution (audio)
Definition of revolutionnext
1
as in rotation
a rapid turning about on an axis or central point revved the engine to 3000 revolutions per minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
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

Example 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 The United States is in the midst of an energy revolution. —Alexander C. Kaufman, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025 The revolution hasn’t yet come, but Chekhov can still sense worlds crumbling and see clowns meandering haplessly through the waste. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025 The strategic hire will position Nucleus at the forefront of a healthcare revolution where consumers—not just doctors—will harness the power of their own DNA. —USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025 As is becoming clear, the carbohydrate revolution that Roche is championing has become commonplace in the professional peloton. —Devin Kelly, Outside Online, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for revolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for revolution
  1. rotation
  2. revolt
  3. curve
  4. uprising
  5. spin
  6. insurrection
  7. rebellion
  8. mutiny
Noun
  • Here are seven easy bedroom decor ideas to welcome your bedroom into its spring era—just in time, because your new wardrobe rotation is going to need a worthy photo backdrop.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Their starting rotation has been waylaid by a wave of injuries and a disastrous opening series in Yankee Stadium.
    — Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of rotation
Noun
  • That led to a developer revolt, a subreddit blackout, and the shutdown of some popular Reddit clients.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The revolt against Tesla is not slowing down, and in some cases people are outright getting rid of their cars.
    — Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of revolt
Noun
  • All that said, a clear data strategy has become necessary for companies to stay ahead of the curve and offers a unique competitive advantage in today's market.
    — Ryan Masiello, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The galaxy's rotation curve, an important characteristic of spiral galaxies, shows a pattern typical of flat rotation curves seen in mature galaxies.
    — Larissa G. Capella, Space.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of curve
Noun
  • Otherwise, another popular uprising against him could start.
    — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Historically, Neptune in Aries brings uprisings and unforeseen changes, with ideologies and thoughts that veer from the status quo.
    — Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of uprising
Noun
  • Give these new tunes a spin and vote for your favorite new Latin music release below.
    — Griselda Flores, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2025
  • No matter the temperature outside, heated yoga, Pilates or spin classes are drawing in those eager to sweat it out.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of spin
Noun
  • Fitch cited the January 6th insurrection as a significant concern.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The exchange comes after the president issued a blanket pardon for nearly all of those charged for the insurrection just hours after returning to the White House.
    — Tara Suter, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of insurrection
Noun
  • The hit show returns with its sixth and final season on April 8, and audiences should brace for an explosive finale as the rebellion in Gilead finally ignites.
    — Abigail Lee, Variety, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The title is borrowed from Elizabeth Alexander’s fourth collection persona poems, historical narratives, jazz riffs, sonnets, elegies, and a sequence of ars poetica which examines the Black experience through the lens of the slave rebellion on the Amistad and nineteenth-century American art.
    — Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of rebellion
Noun
  • This isn’t a flippant analogy; during the Indian mutiny of 1857, British soldiers looted the Taj Mahal, removing rare gems and lapis lazuli.
    — Ralph Leonard, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Death in a hail of bullets has been used to punish mutinies and desertion in armies, as frontier justice in America’s Old West, and as a tool of terror and political repression in the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of mutiny

Browse Nearby Words

revolts (against)
revolution
revolutionaries
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Cite this Entry

“Revolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revolution. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on revolution

Nglish: Translation of revolution for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about revolution

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