revolution
0 antonyms and opposites of revolution, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favour of a new system.
How to use revolution
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French revolucion, from Late Latin revolutio, "the act of revolving", from Latin revolvo, "to roll back".
Full origin of revolution →Frequently asked questions
What does “revolution” mean?
The word “revolution” means a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favour of a new system. In plain terms, a total, sweeping change — whether it's a government being overthrown, an industry being transformed, or a planet completing an orbit.
How do you pronounce “revolution”?
“Revolution” is pronounced rehv-uh-LOO-shuhn (/ˌɹɛv.əˈluː.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “revolution” in a sentence?
Here is “revolution” used in a sentence: “The French Revolution reshaped politics across Europe.”
What part of speech is “revolution”?
“Revolution” is a noun.
Where does the word “revolution” come from?
The word “revolution” comes from Late Latin. From Old French revolucion, from Late Latin revolutio, "the act of revolving", from Latin revolvo, "to roll back".
Is “revolution” a common word?
“Revolution” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “revolution” have?
“Revolution” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favour of a new system.
What is the difference between a revolution and a coup?
A revolution is a broad, often popular movement that overthrows a government or whole social order to replace it with a new system. A coup, or coup d'etat, is a sudden seizure of power by a small group, usually the military or elite, that swaps rulers without changing the wider system.
What is the difference between a revolution and a rebellion?
A rebellion is armed resistance against authority that may or may not succeed. A revolution goes further: it actually overthrows the existing order and installs a fundamentally new one. In short, a failed revolution is often called a rebellion, while a successful rebellion becomes a revolution.
What are some famous examples of revolutions?
Political examples include the French Revolution of 1789, the American Revolution, and the Russian Revolution of 1917. The word also names sweeping non-violent change, as in the Industrial Revolution or the digital revolution, where a new system replaces the old without an armed uprising.
Does a revolution have to be violent?
Not always. The classic sense involves forcible overthrow, often with bloodshed, but the word also covers peaceful, radical transformation. Terms like the Velvet Revolution or a cultural revolution describe deep, rapid change in how a society works, achieved largely without violence.