revolt 1 of 2

Definition of revoltnext
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 other words, a huge share of STEM and economics faculty across the UC system is now in open revolt—demanding that California’s public universities at least look at standardized-test scores before offering admission. Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 Concerns over Pulte may have triggered the revolt, but long-standing worries about surveillance powers helped sustain it. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Verb
Local residents are revolting against a $100 billion Utah data center project backed by Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary that would use more electricity than the entire state does in a year. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 11 May 2026 Others revolted against mask-wearing and caused a ruckus in the air. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for revolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for revolt
Noun
  • On the first day of his second term, Trump granted blanket clemency to nearly all individuals convicted of or charged with offenses related to the insurrection.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 June 2026
  • Prosecutors also revealed private messages to from Tarrio to senior leaders of the Proud Boys taking credit for the insurrection.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Many of the crew members are disgusted by Vito's homosexuality, but Phil seems to take special exception to this revelation, going out of his way to demand Tony take him out and becoming violently angered even at the mere mention of Vito's name.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
  • Turner’s character, Declan O’Hara, is a righteous Irish journalist, also loquacious, also hot, but disgusted by ostentatious displays of wealth.
    Anna Russell, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • The November midterm elections and the 2028 presidential election could present opportunities for MAHA to boost lawmakers who rebel against the establishment.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026
  • Although his younger son tends to rebel against Broaster’s vintage picks, opting for whatever Spider-Man shoes happen to be in his eyeline, his older son has leaned in, letting his dad advise him on what vintage pieces could work and what would be the most stylish.
    Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of NCRI-US, told Fox News Digital that the organization first became focused on stadium surveillance while tracking how Iranian authorities identified protesters during recent uprisings.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
  • For nearly eight years, the Ukrainian army—with the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion at the vanguard—tried to bludgeon the uprising into submission.
    Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Firstman’s debut directorial effort, Club Kid, shrewdly acknowledges those garish personality tics, which have both endeared and repulsed audiences.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
  • Anyone who has worked in or observed the media industry for the last couple of decades will recognize and be repulsed by nepo-baby Jay, who is undeniably villainous.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The seeds of mutiny are detectable.
    Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
  • Within six months, Richards’ side of the group staged a mutiny, locked Diekmann in his apartment, and forced him to relinquish control.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • These triggers don’t usually sicken other kids, but in others, the abnormal immune response caused by the triggers leads to the development of these later allergic conditions, some of which are life long and can be life-threatening.
    Dr. Daniel DiGiacomo, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
  • In the end, 48 infants across 17 states were sickened and hospitalized.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 June 2026
Noun
  • View gallery - 5 images There's a rebellion underway against the always-on, infinitely-scrollable nature of the smartphone.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 June 2026
  • Within weeks, the new hypernationalist government mounted an effort to suppress the Russian language in the Donbas, provoking a rebellion among ethnically Russian Ukrainians.
    Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 9 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Revolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revolt. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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