revolt 1 of 2

Definition of revoltnext
as in insurrection
open fighting against authority (as one's own government) soon the revolt had spread to every corner of the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

revolt

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun revolt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revolt are insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolution, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," 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 is it sensible to use mutiny instead of revolt?

The meanings of mutiny and revolt largely overlap; however, mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

When could rebellion be used to replace revolt?

While in some cases nearly identical to revolt, rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

When can revolution be used instead of revolt?

Although the words revolution and revolt have much in common, revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

When might uprising be a better fit than revolt?

The synonyms uprising and revolt are sometimes interchangeable, but uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

How does the noun revolt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revolt are insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolution, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," 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 is it sensible to use mutiny instead of revolt?

The meanings of mutiny and revolt largely overlap; however, mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

When could rebellion be used to replace revolt?

While in some cases nearly identical to revolt, rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

When can revolution be used instead of revolt?

Although the words revolution and revolt have much in common, revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

When might uprising be a better fit than revolt?

The synonyms uprising and revolt are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 revolt
Noun
Greene promotes tax revolt message On Monday, Greene posted a video on X with Paymon Mattahedeh, the founder of Freedom Law School who says paying federal income and payroll taxes is not required by law for most Americans. Irene Wright, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026 The Testaments The Testaments picks up 15 years after The Handmaid’s Tale’s June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) led Boston in a successful revolt against Gilead. Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
In 2004 when Yankee Stadium briefly replaced Cracker Jack with Crunch ‘n Munch, another caramel corn treat with peanuts, fans revolted and the team brought back Cracker Jack. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026 While peers like Coco Chanel or Christian Dior made clothing that was radically simple or effusively beautiful, Schiaparelli embraced what was surprising, in bad taste or even revolting (a pair of 1938 monkey fur boots, for example). Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for revolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for revolt
Noun
  • In England chaos reaches its zenith when a Kentishman named Jack Cade, encouraged by York (who has been sent to put down a revolt in Ireland), mounts an insurrection that plays havoc in the streets of London.
    Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Four years later, her law firm helped defend against challenges to Trump’s eligibility for the ballot because of his role in encouraging the insurrection of January 6, 2021.
    Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The researchers also found that being young, female, and well educated increased the odds that someone would be moist averse, as did being disgusted more generally by bodily functions.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Some were disgusted, while others were filled with joy.
    Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Čapek’s robots, which are indistinguishable from humans, rise up and rebel against their creators, a plot that anticipates many robot stories that would follow.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
  • When garnished with the story of an impetuous son who rebelled against a Mughal emperor, that lamb broth does give a different kick.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Though rebels surrendered, the uprising set the stage for the broader push against British occupation and ultimately, the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • For now, however, Rahmani warns that Iran’s domestic conditions may make any mass uprising extraordinarily difficult.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Floyd, distraught by his own physical failures, is nevertheless repulsed by the sight of Carol in her big, burly ump gear.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • In the mid-19th century, Kasanje was able to repulse a Portuguese military expedition.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That’s when three-term incumbent Richard Woods will face four Republican challengers and a mutiny among GOP lawmakers, giving him what could be the toughest election he’s ever faced.
    Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • This didn’t stop him from lining his commercial breakthrough, American Fool, with deeper meaning; with a kind of mutiny.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That data also shows that the number of people sickened by tick bites has been steadily rising every year.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Those pelican numbers were very high because of a toxic algae bloom off Southern California that sickened the birds with domoic acid poisoning.
    Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • What was expected to be a quick vote turned into an hourslong saga as some House Republicans launched a rebellion over an issue with an unrelated farm bill.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The leader of the rebellion chatted with young kids carrying Princess Leia dolls and wearing Boba Fett masks.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Revolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revolt. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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