revelationist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Academic, Theological
Quick answer
What does “revelationist” mean?
A person who believes that knowledge and truth are ultimately received through divine revelation rather than human reason or empirical evidence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who believes that knowledge and truth are ultimately received through divine revelation rather than human reason or empirical evidence.
In broader terms, it can refer to someone who emphasizes or relies on a sudden, profound insight or dramatic disclosure of truth in a non-religious context, such as in artistic or philosophical movements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Primarily carries theological connotations. In any context, it implies a stance opposing secular or purely humanistic sources of knowledge.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora. Slightly more likely to be encountered in American English due to a higher prevalence of evangelical academic discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “revelationist” in a Sentence
[revelationist] + [of + theology/belief][be/identify as] + a revelationistThe revelationist argues/claims/contends that...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “revelationist” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His revelationist stance left no room for scientific consensus.
American English
- The preacher's revelationist theology was central to his sermons.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in philosophy of religion, theology, and religious studies departments to categorize epistemological positions.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Unlikely to be understood without explanation.
Technical
Technical term within specific theological discourses.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “revelationist”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “revelationist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “revelationist”
- Confusing 'revelationist' with 'revelator' (one who reveals).
- Using it as a general synonym for 'prophet'.
- Misspelling as 'revelationalist' (though understandable, the standard form is shorter).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A prophet is a figure believed to convey divine messages. A revelationist is a believer or theorist who holds that divine revelation is the primary source of knowledge. A prophet might be the source of revelation; a revelationist is a subscriber to that concept.
It is highly uncommon. In rare cases, it might be used metaphorically to describe someone in art or philosophy who believes in sudden, inspired insights akin to revelation, but the strong theological core remains.
In epistemological terms, the main opposite is a rationalist (prioritising reason) or an empiricist (prioritising sensory experience). In a broader cultural sense, it could be a secular humanist.
No. It is a very low-frequency, specialised term. Learners should be aware of its meaning if encountered in advanced theological or philosophical texts, but it is not necessary for general fluency.
A person who believes that knowledge and truth are ultimately received through divine revelation rather than human reason or empirical evidence.
Revelationist is usually formal, academic, theological in register.
Revelationist: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛvəˈleɪʃ(ə)nɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛvəˈleɪʃ(ə)nɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A REVELATION-IST is a specialist (-ist) in beliefs based on divine REVELATION, not human calculation.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A GIFT (bestowed from a higher source) vs. KNOWLEDGE IS A CONSTRUCTION (built by the mind).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'revelationist' MOST likely to be used?