counterrevolution

1 of 3

noun (1)

coun·​ter·​rev·​o·​lu·​tion ˌkau̇n-tər-ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce counterrevolution (audio)
ˌkau̇n-tə-
Synonyms of counterrevolutionnext
1
: a revolution directed toward overthrowing a government or social system established by a previous revolution
2
: a movement to counteract revolutionary trends
counterrevolutionary
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˌre-və-ˈlü-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce counterrevolution (audio)
ˌkau̇n-tə-
adjective or noun

counterrevolutionary

2 of 3

adjective

coun·​ter·​rev·​o·​lu·​tion·​ary ¦kau̇n-tər-ˌre-və-¦lü-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce counterrevolutionary (audio)
: marked by opposition or antipathy to a current or earlier revolution
arrested for counterrevolutionary tendencies

counterrevolutionary

3 of 3

noun (2)

coun·​ter·​rev·​o·​lu·​tion·​ary ¦kau̇n-tər-ˌre-və-¦lü-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce counterrevolutionary (audio)
: one that abets, encourages, sympathizes with, or takes part in a counterrevolution

Examples of counterrevolution in a Sentence

Noun (1) The leader vowed to stop any attempt at counterrevolution. Soldiers loyal to the President led the counterrevolution.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Of course, abrupt revolutions or counterrevolutions are a recurrent theme of history. — Roger Cohen, New York Times, 8 May 2025 As part of this textualist counterrevolution, the Court has invented new rules and discarded old ones to second-guess legislative choices. — Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026 The revolution—and counterrevolutions across Europe—would speed the formation of nation-states in the nineteenth century. — Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025 This counterrevolution also overturned social balances established at the founding. — Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for counterrevolution

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

counter- + revolutionary

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterrevolution was in 1793

Rhymes for counterrevolution

See All Rhymes for counterrevolution

Browse Nearby Words

counterretaliation
counterrevolution
counterrevolutionary
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterrevolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterrevolution. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

counterrevolution

noun
coun·​ter·​rev·​o·​lu·​tion ˌkau̇nt-ə(r)-ˌrev-ə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce counterrevolution (audio)
: a revolution intended to overthrow a government established by an earlier revolution
counterrevolutionary
-ˈlü-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce counterrevolution (audio)
adjective or noun
counterrevolutionist
-ˈlü-sh(ə-)nəst
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on counterrevolution

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for counterrevolution

Nglish: Translation of counterrevolution for Spanish Speakers

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