REVOLUTION Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

revolution

noun

ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən

Definition of revolution next

as in rotation

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

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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

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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 Until the streaming revolution, the Big Four broadcasters would order, staff, cast and shoot in excess of 50 pilots over the course of several months leading into upfronts in May. —

Joe Otterson, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026 Just this week, Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, warned at the Davos summit that the AI revolution depends on, um, more people actually wanting to use it. —

Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026 In 1979 the country witnessed an Islamic revolution that overthrew the Shah of Iran and replaced the monarchy with a theocratic government. —

Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026 Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is said to have been inspired in part from the 1979 revolution. —

Maryam Lieberman, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for revolution

Recent Examples of Synonyms for revolution

Noun

Inspiring Lifelong Professional Growth Accelerated nursing programs allow students to discover areas of interest during clinical rotations and expose them to speciality options, leadership roles, and advanced-practice opportunities.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
If nothing else changes, Sacramento’s rotation will be clogged with aging, one-dimensional vets who can’t defend in space or keep up in transition.

— LeBron Antonio Hill, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026