1
as in rotation
a rapid turning about on an axis or central point revved the engine to 3000 revolutions per minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in revolt
open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the revolution by which the American colonies gained their independence from Great Britain necessitated going up against the world's most powerful army

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun revolution differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revolution are insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolt, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

When is mutiny a more appropriate choice than revolution?

Although the words mutiny and revolution have much in common, mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

When would rebellion be a good substitute for revolution?

The meanings of rebellion and revolution largely overlap; however, rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

How are the words revolt and insurrection related as synonyms of revolution?

Both 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 could uprising be used to replace revolution?

The words uprising and revolution are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 revolution But look past the unchanged design and features to see the quiet revolution inside. PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025 Just as the transistor ignited the digital revolution, fast, inexpensive, and scalable genome design and synthesis will ignite a biological one. Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025 The Bangladeshi ‘Gen Z revolution’ involved weeks of intense protests, predominantly led by students, and resulted in the ousting of the nation’s long-serving leader Sheikh Hasina. Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025 Conservative Cuban-Americans who fled Cuba after the revolution led by communist leader Fidel Castro have long held particular ire toward Chavez and his successor because of their government's close ties to Cuba. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for revolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for revolution
Noun
  • The team’s elite rotation of Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Ohtani has carried the load thus far.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Barring any setbacks he should be fully recovered in time for spring training and will be a strong candidate to start the season in the WooSox rotation.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Chadema chair Tundu Lissu faces treason charges for advocating an election boycott and calling for a public revolt.
    Danish Manzoor Bhat, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The public revolt was immediate.
    Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For young tight ends especially, the biggest learning curve out of college is understanding how to block in the NFL.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Baesakul symbolized the interconnection of humans and nature through an interlaced motif interpreted as leather lacing or metal hardware and applied to contemporary shapes that take cues from the Eiffel Tower’s silhouette, the curve of a capybara’s back or even the form of Baesakul’s pet corgi.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The East African country has been mired in civil strife ever since the central government collapsed in 1991 following a series of uprisings against the then-military dictatorship.
    Omar S Mahmood, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Following the national uprising over the murder of George Floyd, corporations sought out more women and people of color to diversify their boards of directors.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Both the jitterbug and Lindy Hop (which is often referred to as the granddaddy of the swing era dances) are lively, energetic swing dances that involve quick spins, sharp footwork and pure joy between a pair to a booming live band playing.
    Alexa Stone Updated October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
  • However, like most spins, there could be volatility out of the gate when Solstice separates from Honeywell later this month.
    Paulina Likos, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This is not Lozano’s first brush with insurrection.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
  • But there is nothing like an insurrection in the city of San Francisco.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Readers meet Anne, who walks out of Eden not out of rebellion but love.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Netanyahu, meanwhile, faces rebellion from right-wing ministers who want to block a path to Palestinian statehood and annex the West Bank.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Beginning as a sailors’ mutiny in the port city of Kiel, the revolution spread by train.
    Time, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This includes leader assassination attempts by political opponents or lone wolves or mutinies by disgruntled soldiers who might even march on the presidential palace to demand higher pay, promotions or other policy concessions.
    John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Revolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revolution. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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