Revolutionary

/ˌɹɛvəˈluʃənɛɹi/ · adjective

Meaning

Of or pertaining to a revolution in government; tending to, or promoting, revolution.

Definitions by Sense

1. Of or pertaining to a revolution in government; tending to, or promoting, revolution
2. Of or pertaining to something that portends of great change; overthrowing a standing mindset
3. (sciences) Of or pertaining to something that revolves.
4. A revolutionist; a person who revolts.

Example Sentences

revolutionary war

revolutionary measures

revolutionary agitators

In 1885, one hundred and ten years after the American Declaration of Independence, a young Chinese medical doctor named Sun Yat-sen began preaching his revolutionary principles. Ten years later, in 1895, he founded in Honolulu the first Chinese revolutionary party with what then must have seemed an unbelievably ambitious aim of overthrowing the monarchical system of government which had been in continuous existence in China for forty centuries.

a revolutionary new tool

"The Chengtu revolutionaries were fantastically colourful in the Szechwanese manner—they costumed themselves as heroes of the stage and their energies were chiefly occupied in tying ropes across the main streets so that when Imperial officials rode by in their litters they would have to get down and crawl under, losing face.

Synonyms for revolutionary

Antonyms for revolutionary

Related Words

Word Forms

• more revolutionary
• most revolutionary
• revolutionaries

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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