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

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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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 His tone reminded me of Putin’s attitude toward the war in Syria, where Russian forces intervened in 2015 to save the regime in Damascus from a revolution. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 The cable, which began operating in 1858, sparked a communications revolution. — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2026 The result, historians say, has become a centralized, more politicized spectacle, marking the national milestone as a celebration of an imperial presidency rather than a revolution from kingly rule. — Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Although Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia had been established as the first American hospital 25 years earlier, institutions for care were few at the time of the revolution. — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for revolution

Recent Examples of Synonyms for revolution

Noun

That’s a small contract, especially for a player that has given the Pacers rotation minutes at times.

— Tony East, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Keep scrolling to shop breezy button-up shirts, linen-blend tanks, and more lightweight styles that deserve a spot in your summer rotation.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Definition of rotation

Noun

The people ended up burning down the house of one of the tax collectors, prompting President George Washington to raise the first federal army against them and quickly quell the revolt.

— Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026
At once pugnaciously combative and unreservedly sentimental, Landon chose to take the series out with a commentary on class revolt.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

Definition of revolt

Noun

There can be some volatility in aging curves, especially at this point in a player’s career.

— Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 July 2026
The implication for investors is that the belly of the yield curve — intermediate maturities in the three-to-seven-year range — offers an appealing balance of income and rate sensitivity.

— Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of curve

Noun

Johnny Knoxville faces a summer camp uprising as his new comedy heads to theaters.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
Egypt’s tourism has started to recover after years of years of political turmoil and violence following the 2011 uprising, as well as the coronavirus pandemic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of uprising

Noun

The pair took a big swing in 2022 around the first anniversary of the Capitol insurrection on January 6.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
The violence, described as a failed insurrection by President Cyril Ramaphosa, vandalized more than 160 shopping malls, led to tens of thousands of job losses, and cost the economy roughly $3 billion.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of insurrection

Noun

Amid a rebellion over the SAVE Act, Johnson lost control of the House floor for a second time this week, sending lawmakers home early for the July Fourth recess.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
These battles have completely receded from the American imagination, even though, in some ways, the American rebellion was a sideshow to a far greater imperial drama.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026

Definition of rebellion

Noun

Amid the mutiny in the House, Johnson canceled unrelated votes, struggling to get enough support to move the legislation.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026
The war's disastrous optics erode his legitimacy, amplified by internal dissent like a viral military blogger's mutiny warning and soldiers threatening officers.

— Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of mutiny

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“Revolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revolution. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of revolution

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