arab spring: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal/Academic
Quick answer
What does “arab spring” mean?
A series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions that spread across the Arab world in the early 2010s.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions that spread across the Arab world in the early 2010s.
Refers to the broader geopolitical shifts, the role of social media in mobilization, and the long-term effects on regional stability, democratization, and subsequent conflicts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences; both varieties use the term identically.
Connotations
Similarly connotes political upheaval, hope for change, and often subsequent instability.
Frequency
Equally frequent in news and academic contexts due to global coverage.
Grammar
How to Use “arab spring” in a Sentence
[the] Arab Spring [of/in] [specific context]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arab spring” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Arab Spring protests
- Arab Spring activism
American English
- Arab Spring uprisings
- Arab Spring-inspired movements
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in geopolitical risk assessments affecting markets and investments.
Academic
Common in political science, history, and Middle Eastern studies for analyzing protest movements and democratization.
Everyday
Used in news reports and discussions about current events in the Arab world.
Technical
In political analysis, refers specifically to the 2010-2012 wave of protests and its aftermath.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arab spring”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arab spring”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arab spring”
- Misspelling as 'Arabian Spring'
- Using 'Arab Springs' (plural) incorrectly.
- Confusing it with other historical events like the 'Spring of Nations'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Arab Spring began in December 2010 with the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia, sparking widespread protests.
Key countries include Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, and others, with varying outcomes from reforms to civil wars.
Causes included political repression, economic inequality, high unemployment, corruption, and demands for greater political freedom and human rights.
Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter were used to organize protests, share real-time information, and mobilize international support.
A series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions that spread across the Arab world in the early 2010s.
Arab spring is usually formal/academic in register.
Arab spring: in British English it is pronounced /ˈær.əb sprɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈer.əb sprɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the dawn of the Arab Spring”
- “post-Arab Spring order”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Link 'spring' to 'spring of water' bursting forth, symbolizing the sudden outbreak of protests across the Arab world.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPRING IS A TIME OF REBIRTH AND RENEWAL; thus, Arab Spring metaphorizes political uprising as a seasonal renewal.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reference of the term 'Arab Spring'?