revivalism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal; Academic; Religious
Quick answer
What does “revivalism” mean?
A movement or campaign to reawaken religious faith, often characterized by passionate preaching and public gatherings aimed at securing personal conversions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A movement or campaign to reawaken religious faith, often characterized by passionate preaching and public gatherings aimed at securing personal conversions.
The promotion of renewed interest in, or a return to, any particular practice, style, ideology, or tradition from the past (e.g., architectural revivalism, cultural revivalism).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. More frequently associated with historical religious movements (e.g., 18th-19th century revivals) in the UK, while in the US it can also refer to contemporary evangelical movements.
Connotations
In both varieties, can carry slightly negative connotations of emotionalism or superficial enthusiasm when used by critics. Neutral or positive when used by proponents.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse, but standard within historical, theological, and cultural studies contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “revivalism” in a Sentence
[Noun] + of + revivalism (e.g., 'the revivalism of the period')revivalism + [Preposition] + [Noun] (e.g., 'revivalism in art', 'revivalism among young people')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “revivalism” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The chapel was a product of the Methodist revivalism that swept the Welsh valleys.
- His scholarship focused on Gothic revivalism in nineteenth-century architecture.
American English
- The camp meeting was a key feature of frontier revivalism.
- The designer's work showed a clear revivalism of mid-century modern aesthetics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear metaphorically: 'a revivalism of 1980s management styles.'
Academic
Common in history, theology, cultural studies, and architecture. E.g., 'Gothic revivalism in Victorian Britain.'
Everyday
Very rare. Would typically be replaced by 'revival' or 'comeback.'
Technical
Specific term in religious studies and historiography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “revivalism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “revivalism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “revivalism”
- Using 'revivalism' as a simple synonym for 'revival' (the event). 'Revivalism' refers to the *principle* or *practice* of promoting revivals. Incorrect: 'The town experienced a religious revivalism.' Correct: 'The town experienced a revival, spurred by local revivalism.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary and most specific use is religious, it is commonly and correctly extended to secular contexts like art, architecture, fashion, and music to describe a deliberate return to earlier styles or ideas.
A 'revival' is an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again (e.g., a jazz revival). 'Revivalism' is the active promotion of such revivals, or the principles underlying such a movement (e.g., the revivalism of Baroque music by certain conductors).
Yes. It can imply a superficial, emotional, or uncritical adoption of past forms without innovation or genuine understanding, especially when used by critics.
Yes, 'revivalist' (e.g., a revivalist preacher, revivalist architecture). It can be used as both a noun and an adjective.
A movement or campaign to reawaken religious faith, often characterized by passionate preaching and public gatherings aimed at securing personal conversions.
Revivalism is usually formal; academic; religious in register.
Revivalism: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈvaɪ.və.lɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈvaɪ.və.lɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fire-and-brimstone revivalism”
- “a touch of revivalism”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a REVIVAL meeting (bringing faith back to life) + ISM (making it a system or movement).
Conceptual Metaphor
SPIRITUALITY IS A FIRE (that can be rekindled); THE PAST IS A RESOURCE (to be mined for renewal).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'revivalism' LEAST likely to be used?