thermidorian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal / Academic / Historical
Quick answer
What does “thermidorian” mean?
Relating to or characteristic of a moderate reaction following a period of revolutionary upheaval, especially one that seeks to restore order and stability.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to or characteristic of a moderate reaction following a period of revolutionary upheaval, especially one that seeks to restore order and stability.
Pertaining to the political reaction that ended the radical phase of the French Revolution, specifically the coup of 9 Thermidor (July 27, 1794) which overthrew Robespierre. By extension, describes any political reversal where a more moderate or conservative faction takes power from a radical revolutionary group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling follows standard UK/US conventions for the suffix '-ian'.
Connotations
Identical in both dialects: strongly academic/historical.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, almost exclusively found in scholarly texts on the French Revolution or comparative political theory.
Grammar
How to Use “thermidorian” in a Sentence
[adjective] + noun (e.g., Thermidorian phase)noun + of + [adjective] (e.g., politics of the Thermidorian)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thermidorian” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The regime began to thermidorise, rolling back the most extreme policies.
American English
- The movement was accused of attempting to Thermidorize the revolution.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in historical analysis and political science to describe the end of radical revolutionary phases.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Used as a technical term in historiography and political theory.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thermidorian”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thermidorian”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thermidorian”
- Mispronouncing as 'thermal-dorian'. Confusing it with 'Thermidor' (a lobster dish). Using it to describe any conservative shift rather than one specifically ending a radical revolutionary period.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, as a proper adjective (capitalized). However, in political science, it can be used generically (lowercase) to describe analogous reactions in other revolutions.
No, it is an obscure historical term. Using it in general conversation would likely cause confusion.
'Reactionary' is a broad term for opposition to progress or a desire to return to a past status quo. 'Thermidorian' is a specific subtype: the reaction that emerges FROM WITHIN a revolution to end its most radical, violent phase.
thur-mi-DOR-ee-an. The stress is on the third syllable.
Relating to or characteristic of a moderate reaction following a period of revolutionary upheaval, especially one that seeks to restore order and stability.
Thermidorian is usually formal / academic / historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Thermidorian turn of events”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'THERMal' - as in cooling down a HOT revolution. 'Dorian' sounds like 'restoring order'. Thermidorian = Cooling down and restoring order after revolutionary heat.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL REACTION IS A THERMOSTAT / REVOLUTION IS HEAT. The Thermidorian period is the 'cooling down' or 'temperature regulation' following the fever of revolution.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'thermidorian' most precisely describe?