counterrevolution
noun
coun·ter·rev·o·lu·tion
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən 
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
Example Sentences
The leader vowed to stop any attempt at counterrevolution.
Soldiers loyal to the President led the counterrevolution.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tunisia was the first blossom of the 2011 Arab Spring — and the only bloom to have not sadly withered on the vine as pro-democracy uprisings gave way to civil wars and brutal autocratic counterrevolutions around the region.
—
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2023
But the roots of that counterrevolution can be found in previous decades, in the businessmen’s war against the New Deal, in industry’s relentless fight for secrecy and against regulation, in segregation and every other tactic to safeguard the spoils of the few.
—Scott W. Stern, The New Republic, 10 Jan. 2023
This mass emigration included many of the country’s wealthiest residents, people with the means and motivation to seek a counterrevolution.
—David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Apr. 2023
The overweening progressivism of the Wilson presidency catalyzed a reaction, with progressive theorists streaming into Democratic senior ranks, while Wilson’s Republican successors (Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge) led a conservative, small-government counterrevolution.
—Dan Mclaughlin, National Review, 16 Mar. 2022
But that’s not what happened: The assassination delivered Nixon and Watergate, prolonged the war and exacerbated social strife—eventually giving rise to the conservative counterrevolution, Reagan, the disemboweling of the safety net, Bushes 1 and 2, the Iraq War, and Trump.
—Natalie Shure, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2022
With Syria, Yemen and Libya undone by civil war, Egypt’s attempt at democracy crushed by a counterrevolution and protests in the Gulf States quickly extinguished, Tunisia was the only country to emerge from the Arab Spring revolutions with a democracy, if a fragile one.
—New York Times, 5 Aug. 2021
With Syria, Yemen, and Libya undone by civil war, Egypt’s attempt at democracy crushed by a counterrevolution and protests in the Gulf States quickly snuffed out, Tunisia was the only country to emerge from the Arab Spring revolutions with a democracy, if a fragile one.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021
The conservative counterrevolution in education may be just beginning.
—The Editors, National Review, 27 Jan. 2023
See More
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2023
But the roots of that counterrevolution can be found in previous decades, in the businessmen’s war against the New Deal, in industry’s relentless fight for secrecy and against regulation, in segregation and every other tactic to safeguard the spoils of the few.
—Scott W. Stern, The New Republic, 10 Jan. 2023
This mass emigration included many of the country’s wealthiest residents, people with the means and motivation to seek a counterrevolution.
—David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Apr. 2023
The overweening progressivism of the Wilson presidency catalyzed a reaction, with progressive theorists streaming into Democratic senior ranks, while Wilson’s Republican successors (Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge) led a conservative, small-government counterrevolution.
—Dan Mclaughlin, National Review, 16 Mar. 2022
But that’s not what happened: The assassination delivered Nixon and Watergate, prolonged the war and exacerbated social strife—eventually giving rise to the conservative counterrevolution, Reagan, the disemboweling of the safety net, Bushes 1 and 2, the Iraq War, and Trump.
—Natalie Shure, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2022
With Syria, Yemen and Libya undone by civil war, Egypt’s attempt at democracy crushed by a counterrevolution and protests in the Gulf States quickly extinguished, Tunisia was the only country to emerge from the Arab Spring revolutions with a democracy, if a fragile one.
—New York Times, 5 Aug. 2021
With Syria, Yemen, and Libya undone by civil war, Egypt’s attempt at democracy crushed by a counterrevolution and protests in the Gulf States quickly snuffed out, Tunisia was the only country to emerge from the Arab Spring revolutions with a democracy, if a fragile one.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021
The conservative counterrevolution in education may be just beginning.
—The Editors, National Review, 27 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterrevolution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of counterrevolution was
in 1793
Articles Related to counterrevolution
Dictionary Entries Near counterrevolution
Cite this Entry
“Counterrevolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterrevolution. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
counterrevolution
noun
coun·ter·rev·o·lu·tion
ˌkau̇nt-ə(r)-ˌrev-ə-ˈlü-shən
: a revolution intended to overthrow a government established by an earlier revolution
counterrevolutionist
noun
-ˈlü-sh(ə-)nəst
More from Merriam-Webster on counterrevolution
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
-
Palter, Dissemble, and Other Words for Lying
Trust us
-
Skunk, Bayou, and Other Words with Native American Origins
You've used more than you might think
-
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 2
When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do
-
When Were Words First Used?
Look up any year to find out
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share