revolutionist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “revolutionist” mean?
A person who advocates or takes part in a revolution, especially a political one.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who advocates or takes part in a revolution, especially a political one.
A person who promotes or instigates radical change in any field (e.g., technology, art, science).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is generally rare. 'Revolutionary' (noun) is far more common in both.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of radicalism, historical significance, and often political upheaval.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary usage in both BrE and AmE, primarily found in historical or academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “revolutionist” in a Sentence
[revolutionist] + [preposition] + [cause/country] (e.g., a revolutionist against tyranny)[revolutionist] + [verb] + [object] (e.g., the revolutionist plotted the uprising)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “revolutionist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not standard. The verb form is 'revolutionise' (UK)/'revolutionize' (US).]
American English
- [Not standard. The verb form is 'revolutionize'.]
adverb
British English
- [Not standard. No direct adverb form.]
American English
- [Not standard. No direct adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- [Not standard. The adjective is 'revolutionary'.]
American English
- [Not standard. The adjective is 'revolutionary'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear metaphorically: 'He was a revolutionist in marketing techniques.'
Academic
Used in historical, political science, or sociological texts discussing figures of revolutionary movements.
Everyday
Extremely rare. 'Revolutionary' is the everyday term.
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside of specific historical analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “revolutionist”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “revolutionist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “revolutionist”
- Using 'revolutionist' in casual conversation where 'revolutionary' is expected.
- Misspelling as 'revolutionist' (correct) vs. 'revolutionnist' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As nouns, they are synonyms. However, 'revolutionary' is vastly more common in contemporary usage. 'Revolutionist' can sound formal or dated.
No. The standard adjective form is 'revolutionary' (e.g., revolutionary ideas). Using 'revolutionist' as an adjective is non-standard.
Primarily in historical writing, academic texts on political theory, or older literature. It is rare in news media or everyday conversation.
Overusing it instead of the more natural 'revolutionary', or incorrectly trying to use it as an adjective or verb.
A person who advocates or takes part in a revolution, especially a political one.
Revolutionist is usually formal, historical, academic in register.
Revolutionist: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrev.əˈluː.ʃən.ɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrev.əˈluː.ʃən.ɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A revolutionist is a SPECIALIST in starting revolutions.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGENT OF RADICAL CHANGE IS A FORCE OF NATURE (e.g., a whirlwind, a fire).
Practice
Quiz
Which word is a more common synonym for 'revolutionist' in modern English?