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
This looting of the Treasury has apparently been averted, following a rare revolt by Republican lawmakers. Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 June 2026 Somewhere between the airport and the hotel, your gut stages a revolt. Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
Verb
The players revolted, boycotting training over Anelka’s treatment. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 June 2026 Congress, having discovered some spine, should revolt at this blatant self-dealing as well. Austin Elias-De Jesus, New Yorker, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for revolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for revolt
Noun
  • And Washington, of course, had nothing to do with instigating or inciting the insurrection.
    New York Times, New York Times, 11 June 2026
  • Animals serve as allies, guides, objects of cruelty and aggression, and as striking metaphors for power, imperialism, and insurrection.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 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 musical, which features a rock score, is based on the 1891 play by Frank Wedekind, which follows a group of teenagers in 19th-century Germany who are discovering their sexuality and rebelling against the strict rules set by their parents.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2026
  • These fears lead them to rebelling against the technology overall.
    Staff Author, Parents, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • Then, as things started to change politically in England, there was the beginning of that feeling of an uprising by the serfs against the aristocracy and the landowners, and this cultural hero rocking the boat and stealing from the rich to give to the poor started to be birthed.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 June 2026
  • There was also a growing belief among prison officials, around the time of the Attica prison uprising, that being more responsive to prisoners' concerns would reduce the likelihood of violence or rioting.
    Christie Thompson, NPR, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Plenty of people bought it, plenty were repulsed by it.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 June 2026
  • Spearmint and peppermint plants are particularly effective insect repellents, but many other plants in the mint family can also be used to repulse flies, including pennyroyal and lemon balm.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 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
  • Last year, another manufacturer recalled its product — ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula — after an outbreak of infant botulism sickened dozens of babies across the country.
    Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
  • At least 233 people have been sickened in eight outbreaks that federal and state regulators have connected to McAfee’s farm since 2006, and at least 40 of them have been hospitalized.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • The property tax rebellion is part of a broader push on both the right and left to give tax exemptions to seniors, workers who rely on tips, and the bottom 50% of the country to address cost-of-living pressures.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
  • House Democrats are betting that a future Speaker Hakeem Jeffries wouldn’t struggle with the type of aisle-crossing rebellion that’s often vexed current Speaker Mike Johnson.
    Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Revolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revolt. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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