counterrevolution

noun

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

Examples of counterrevolution in a Sentence

The leader vowed to stop any attempt at counterrevolution. Soldiers loyal to the President led the counterrevolution.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The phenomenal success of this counterrevolution was due to a simple insight. Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 What is still missing from this broad narrative is a full understanding of how this neoliberal counterrevolution succeeded in changing everything. Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 But with Iraq battered, Syria in chaos, and a stagnant Egypt being whipsawed by revolution and counterrevolution, the way was clear for an ambitious, headstrong, and ruthless young Saudi prince to stake his country’s claim to Arab leadership. Martin Indyk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2019 Marker’s Grin Without a Cat, an essay-film about revolution and counterrevolution in the Sixties, is almost as long as The Sorrow and the Pity but denser and more fast-moving. Alexander Sammon, Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2022 See all Example Sentences for counterrevolution 

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterrevolution was in 1793

Dictionary Entries Near counterrevolution

Cite this Entry

“Counterrevolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterrevolution. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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 adjective or noun
counterrevolutionist
-ˈlü-sh(ə-)nəst
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on counterrevolution

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!