revolt 1 of 2

as in insurrection
open fighting against authority (as one's own government) soon the revolt had spread to every corner of the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

revolt

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun revolt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revolt are insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolution, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," 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 is it sensible to use mutiny instead of revolt?

The meanings of mutiny and revolt largely overlap; however, mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

When could rebellion be used to replace revolt?

While in some cases nearly identical to revolt, rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

When can revolution be used instead of revolt?

Although the words revolution and revolt have much in common, revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

When might uprising be a better fit than revolt?

The synonyms uprising and revolt are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 revolt
Noun
In 1811, a slave revolt, believed to be one of the largest in the country’s history, started at the plantation. Bracey Harris, NBC news, 25 May 2025 In an early sign of trouble for House Republicans, a number of GOP senators are already rejecting parts of the lower chamber’s bill — an indication that the package could return to the House in an entirely different form, which would likely spark a revolt from one wing or another. Mike Lillis, The Hill, 24 May 2025
Verb
In his speech, Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible, noted that the U.S. flag was initially a symbol of defiance as the colonies revolted against King George. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 June 2025 But business leaders and housing activists revolted. Time, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for revolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for revolt
Noun
  • All of these acts of insurrection reveal a nation unbowed in the face of violent oppression.
    Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
  • Mass deportations, the politicization of our military and the use of the military as props to create the suggestion of insurrection are classic authoritarian techniques to take over governments.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Flynt often disgusted the masses for offering one of the most graphic, and at times controversial, publications on newsstands.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
  • We were disgusted by the ambience of this special occasion in our grandchildren’s lives.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Wait, there’s a both-sides approach to the company and the workers rebelling against it?
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 June 2025
  • Newsweek Contributors Debate For decades, Iranians have organized, protested, and rebelled for greater freedom.
    Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Also, because Israel is constantly targeting Tehran, which has been the center of previous uprisings, there is no potential for people to mobilize and come out on the streets, Azizi added.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • Newark’s mayor cited reports of a possible uprising and escape after disorder broke out at the facility Thursday night and protesters outside the center locked arms and pushed against barricades as vehicles passed through gates.
    Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The smell of cinnamon repulsed her, as did the sight of falling leaves, cornucopias, turkeys, cobwebs, ghosts, and that stupid cursive that had become the font of choice for selling pumpkin lattes and a vague notion of cozy well-being.
    Anelise Chen June 3, Literary Hub, 3 June 2025
  • Kravitz was an assistant machine gunner who on March 6-7, 1951, repulsed with his platoon in Yangpyong, Korea, two Chinese probing attacks.
    Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • Along the way, the exhausting voyage involved various mutinies and crew deaths, and upon reaching the islands of the Malayan Archipelago, Magellan’s mind and ambitions changed.
    Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 18 May 2025
  • But the mutiny underscored for Putin that the country’s current business leaders and high-level bureaucrats cannot be relied on at moments of regime crisis.
    ANDREI YAKOVLEV, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Another outbreak in Alberta, Canada, has sickened 996 as of Thursday.
    DEVI SHASTRI, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
  • Check your fridge Ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals have been recalled after a listeria outbreak sickened people in 13 states.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • The third season opens in the wake of the deadly rebellion depicted in the Season 2 finale, which left Jung-Bae and many of Gi-hun’s allies dead.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Still, youthful rebellion in virtual reality looks great and the concept of online escapes resonates in an increasingly intense real world.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Revolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revolt. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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