revolutionary
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for revolutionary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Involving a complete or dramatic change.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Involving a complete or dramatic change.
“The vaccine was a revolutionary breakthrough in medicine.”
Opposites
counterrevolutionary
2. noun
A person who takes part in, or advocates, a political revolution.
“The old revolutionary spent his final years writing memoirs.”
How to use revolutionary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
revolutionary idea
revolutionary leader
truly revolutionary
Etymology
Modelled on French révolutionnaire, formed from revolution plus -ary.
Full origin of revolutionary →Frequently asked questions
What does “revolutionary” mean?
The word “revolutionary” means involving a complete or dramatic change. In plain terms, either "causing dramatic change" (adjective) or "a person fighting to overthrow the existing order" (noun).
How do you pronounce “revolutionary”?
“Revolutionary” is pronounced reh-vuh-LOO-shuhn-ree (/ˌɹɛvəˈluʃənɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “revolutionary” in a sentence?
Here is “revolutionary” used in a sentence: “The vaccine was a revolutionary breakthrough in medicine.”
What part of speech is “revolutionary”?
Depending on how it is used, “revolutionary” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “revolutionary” come from?
The word “revolutionary” comes from French. Modelled on French révolutionnaire, formed from revolution plus -ary.
Is “revolutionary” a common word?
“Revolutionary” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “revolutionary” have?
“Revolutionary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: involving a complete or dramatic change.
What is the difference between revolutionary and innovative?
Revolutionary describes something involving a complete or dramatic change that overturns what came before. Innovative means introducing new ideas or methods, which may be improvements without being as sweeping or radical as a revolution.
What is the difference between a revolutionary and a rebel?
A revolutionary takes part in or advocates a political revolution aimed at fundamentally changing a system of government or society. A rebel resists authority or control but may not seek complete political overthrow.
When should you use revolutionary as an adjective versus a noun?
Use revolutionary as an adjective to describe something that brings dramatic change, as in a revolutionary invention. Use it as a noun for a person who takes part in or supports a political revolution.
What is the difference between revolutionary and evolutionary?
Revolutionary describes sudden, dramatic, and complete change. Evolutionary describes gradual, step-by-step change that develops slowly over time.
