revolution[noun]Synonyms:- revolt, coup, insurgency, mutiny, rebellion, rising, uprising
- transformation, innovation, reformation, sea change, shift, upheaval
- rotation, circle, circuit, cycle, lap, orbit, spin, turn
Related Words: cycle,
pirouette,
reel,
roll,
spin,
twirl
English Thesaurus: change, alter, adapt, adjust, modify, ... [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
rev‧o‧lu‧tion S3 W2 AC /ˌrevəˈluːʃ
ən/
noun [
Word Family: noun:
revolution,
revolutionary;
verb:
revolutionize;
adjective:
revolutionary]
[
Date: 1300-1400;
Language: Old French;
Origin: Latin revolutio, from revolvere; ⇒ revolve]
1. [countable] a complete change in ways of thinking, methods of working etc
revolution in
In the last ten years there has been a revolution in education.social/cultural/sexual etc revolution the biggest social revolution we have had in this country the sexual revolution of the 1960s ⇒
Industrial Revolution2. [uncountable and countable] a time when people change a ruler or political system by using force or violence ⇒
revolt,
rebellion:
the French Revolution of 1789 The role of women has changed since the revolution. The country seems to be heading towards revolution. ⇒
counter-revolution3. a) [uncountable and countable] a circular movement around something ⇒
revolverevolution around the planets’ revolution around the sun b) [countable] one complete circular spinning movement, made by something such as a wheel attached to a central point ⇒
revolve:
a speed of 100 revolutions per minute [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
change to make someone or something different:
Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to change the situation. Being at college has changed her – she’s much more confident now.alter especially written tochange something so that it is better or more suitable:
You can alter the colour and size of the image using a remote control. Can we alter the date of the meeting?adapt to change something slightly in order to improve it or make it more suitable:
How much would it cost to adapt the existing equipment? You can adapt the recipe to suit your own requirements.adjust to make small changes in the position or level of something in order to improve it or make it more suitable:
How do you adjust the volume on the television? He adjusted his tie in the mirror.modify especially written to make small changes to something such as a piece of equipment, a set of ideas, or a way of behaving in order to improve it or use it in a different way:
He’s modified his opinions since then. a modified version of the original program.reform to change a law, system, organization etc so that it is fairer or more effective:
plans to reform the tax system Health care needs to be completely reformed.revise to change a plan, idea, law etc because of new information and ideas:
In July, China revised the rules for foreign investment. The findings could force the scientists to revise their ideas about climate change.reorganize to change the way that a system or organization works:
We’ve had to reorganize our database During the 1980s, the government reorganized the civil service.restructure to make big changes to the way something is organized, especially a large political or economic system or a big company, in order to make it more effective:
The company has been restructured from top to bottom.transform to change something completely, especially so that it is much better:
Well, you’ve certainly transformed this place – it looks great! Putin transformed the Russian economy.revolutionize to completely and permanently change the way people do something or think about something, especially because of a new idea or invention:
Computers have revolutionized the way we work. This important discovery revolutionized our understanding of the universe.distort to explain facts, statements etc in a way that makes them seem different from what they really are:
The judge said that she had deliberately tried to distort the facts. Don’t try to distort the truth.twist to dishonestly change the meaning of a piece of information or of something that someone has said, in order to get an advantage for yourself or to support your own opinion:
He accused reporters of twisting his words. In her article she twisted the meaning of what I said.misrepresent to give people a wrong idea about someone or their opinions, by what you write or say:
I hope I have not misrepresented her opinion. He’s taking legal action to stop the film, claiming it grossly misrepresents him.big/major Going to a new school is a big change for children.slight/small/minor The proposed changes were relatively minor.gradual There has been a gradual change in the weather.dramatic/drastic/radical (=very big, especially in way that is surprising) The Industrial Revolution was a period of dramatic change.significant The change in blood pressure was not significant.marked (=very noticeable) There was a marked change in his behaviour.fundamental Reducing waste requires a fundamental change in attitude.social/political/economic etc change Demands for political and social change are growing.sweeping changes (=affecting many things or people, especially because of an official decision) There are likely to be sweeping changes in the company.far-reaching changes (=important and having a great effect that will last a long time) The Internet has brought about far-reaching changes in the way we work.make a change We've had to make some changes to the design.introduce a change A number of changes were introduced to the curriculum.bring (about) change (
also effect a change formal)
(=cause change) The war brought about radical social change. Treatment is aimed at effecting a change in the child’s negative behaviour.see/notice/observe a change I saw a big change in her when I met her again.undergo a change (=be affected by a change) The body undergoes a number of changes during this time.signal a change (=be a sign of a change) Does this move signal a change in US foreign policy?the pace/rate of change People sometimes feel alarmed by the pace of technological change.alteration noun [uncountable and countable] a change, especially a small one that happens naturally or gradually, or one that is made in order to improve something:
I noticed a slight alteration in her behaviour. They had to make some alterations to their original theory.shift noun [countable] a change, especially in people’s attitudes or in the way they do things, or in the position of someone or something:
a shift in public opinion about the war There has been a noticeable shift in government policy on education. There needs to be a major shift away from road transport to rail transport. After he died, there was a dramatic shift in the balance of power.swing a big change, especially in someone’s opinions or moods:
There has been a big swing toward the Democrats (=many more people are supporting them). The drug can cause mood swings.fluctuation noun [uncountable and countable] a change in something - used when something changes often:
fluctuations in the value of the dollar temperature fluctuations fluctuations in his mood There has been some fluctuation in productivity levels.transformation noun [uncountable and countable] a change in which something or someone becomes completely different:
There has been a complete transformation in his attitude since he became a father. her transformation from shy local girl to famous movie actressrevolution noun [countable] a complete change in ways of thinking or working:
The 1970s saw the beginnings of a new technological revolution. Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity started a revolution in scientific thinking.shake-up noun [countable] a situation in which a lot of changes are very quickly made in a system or organization in order to make it more effective:
The department has not performed well and is badly in need of a shake-up. The Administration is planning a thorough shake-up of the welfare system.U-turn noun [countable] a complete change in the plans of a government or political party so that it decides to do the opposite of what it originally said it would do:
The government was forced to do a U-turn after angry protests about their taxation policy. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲