revisionism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, academic, political
Quick answer
What does “revisionism” mean?
A tendency or doctrine advocating the revision or re-interpretation of an established theory, doctrine, historical narrative, or artistic movement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tendency or doctrine advocating the revision or re-interpretation of an established theory, doctrine, historical narrative, or artistic movement.
Specifically in politics, a departure from orthodox Marxism-Leninism, seen as a distortion of its principles. More broadly, any attempt to modify established views, especially in historiography or political theory.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and usage are identical. Differences lie primarily in the specific historical/political contexts to which the term is applied.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term is loaded. In US academic discourse, 'historical revisionism' is a standard historiographical practice but can be pejorative when implying denialism (e.g., Holocaust revisionism). In UK political discourse, it often refers to challenges within the Labour Party to traditional socialist policies.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties, concentrated in academic, historical, and political commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “revisionism” in a Sentence
revisionism of [historical event/theory]revisionism within [political party/movement]accuse [someone] of revisionismdescend into revisionismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “revisionism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The historian was accused of seeking to revise the accepted timeline.
- Politicians often revise their past statements.
American English
- Scholars continue to revise our understanding of the event.
- He revised his earlier theory substantially.
adverb
British English
- He argued revisionistically for a complete reappraisal.
- The book reads the text revisionistically.
American English
- She approached the data revisionistically.
- They interpreted the treaty revisionistically.
adjective
British English
- His revisionist account of the war sparked controversy.
- A revisionist faction emerged within the party.
American English
- The revisionist historian presented new evidence.
- This is a revisionist interpretation of the classic novel.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'The CEO's revisionism of the company's founding principles angered long-time employees.'
Academic
Common in history, political science, and literary criticism. 'The paper critiques the revisionism of 19th-century imperial narratives.'
Everyday
Very rare. Would likely be misunderstood or sound overly academic.
Technical
Core term in historiography and political theory denoting a specific school or critique of established narratives.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “revisionism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “revisionism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “revisionism”
- Using it as a synonym for any 'change' or 'review' (too broad).
- Pronouncing it /ri:'vaɪʒənɪzm/ (the stress is on the second syllable).
- Confusing 'revisionism' (ideological) with 'revision' (the act of studying or amending).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In academic history, 'historical revisionism' is a normal and necessary process of re-interpreting the past based on new evidence or perspectives. It becomes pejorative when it implies distortion or denialism for ideological reasons.
'Revision' is the act of re-examining and amending (e.g., revising an essay). 'Revisionism' is a sustained doctrine or tendency advocating for such revision, especially of established theories or historical accounts.
Yes, though less commonly. It can be applied to art, literature, or any field with established canons (e.g., 'a revisionism of the Romantic poets').
A person who practices or advocates for revisionism. It can be a neutral descriptor (a revisionist historian) or a critical label (a Marxist revisionist).
A tendency or doctrine advocating the revision or re-interpretation of an established theory, doctrine, historical narrative, or artistic movement.
Revisionism is usually formal, academic, political in register.
Revisionism: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈvɪʒ.ən.ɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈvɪʒ.ə.nɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be] on a revisionist bent”
- “a slide into revisionism”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-VISION-ISM. It's creating a *new vision* (re-vision) of history or theory, which becomes an *-ism* (a doctrine).
Conceptual Metaphor
HISTORY/THEORY IS A TEXT (that can be edited, rewritten, or corrected). POLITICAL DEVIATION IS A PATH (straying from the orthodox path).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'revisionism' most neutrally and commonly used?