Anglais

revolutionary

gb/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi/ us/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi/
B2 Anglais
~ 8200
Sens
0 sens
adjective B2 property
1

causing very great, new change

Describing something that brings a very big and new change to how people do or think about things.

Schéma d’usage : a revolutionary [idea/product/change/technology]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes think "revolutionary" can only describe politics. In modern English it is very common for technology, products, ideas, and methods. Learners also mix it up with "rebellious": a person can be rebellious, but a new method or product is usually called revolutionary, not rebellious.
Synonymes
groundbreaking (Stresses being completely new or original, often used in marketing or praise.) | radical (Emphasizes how extreme or far from the usual something is; can sound more political or negative.) | transformative (Focuses on the strong effect of change, often slightly more formal and less dramatic than "revolutionary".)
Antonymes
conventional (Describes ideas or things that follow normal, traditional ways instead of making big changes.) | traditional (Emphasizes following old customs or usual methods rather than new, major change.)
Collocations
revolutionary idea |revolutionary technology |revolutionary change |revolutionary design |revolutionary approach |revolutionary product
Thèmes
technology |business |society |core_vocabulary |science
Exemples
  • The company claims its new battery is a revolutionary step for electric cars.
  • Her book offered a revolutionary way to think about mental health treatment.
  • The discovery of penicillin was revolutionary for modern medicine.
  • Streaming services brought a revolutionary change to how people watch movies and TV.
  • They developed a revolutionary design that cuts energy use by half.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • This app is revolutionary because it changes how we learn languages.
  • The internet was a revolutionary technology for the world.
  • Scientists made a revolutionary discovery about how the brain works.
  • Her idea for the school was revolutionary and very different.
  • The new phone has a revolutionary camera system.
Nom B2 entity
2

person who supports revolution

A person who wants to change or end the government or political system, often in a very strong and complete way.

Schéma d’usage : [someone] is a revolutionary
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse the noun and adjective forms, saying *"He is very revolutionary"* when they mean *"He is a revolutionary"* (a person). "Revolutionary" as a noun always refers to a person, not to an idea or change.
Synonymes
rebel (General word for someone who fights against authority; not always focused on changing the whole system.) | insurgent (Often used for armed fighters against a government, especially in news; slightly more technical and military.) | radical (Focuses on extreme political ideas; may or may not take direct action like a revolutionary.)
Antonymes
loyalist (Specifically supports the existing ruler or government instead of trying to overthrow it.) | moderate (Prefers small, gradual changes and avoids extreme or violent political actions.)
Collocations
a committed revolutionary |young revolutionary |Marxist revolutionary |revolutionary leader |revolutionary group |heroic revolutionary
Thèmes
politics |history |conflict |law
Exemples
  • The young revolutionary spent years in prison for his political activities.
  • Many revolutionaries believed that violence was the only way to bring down the regime.
  • She is celebrated as a revolutionary who fought for independence.
  • The government arrested several suspected revolutionaries after the protest.
  • As a student he saw himself as a revolutionary, dreaming of changing the whole system.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • The revolutionary gave a speech in the square.
  • Some revolutionaries want to change the government by force.
  • He became a revolutionary after seeing how people suffered.
  • The police arrested the revolutionary for his actions.
  • History books talk about famous revolutionaries in many countries.
adjective C1 property
3

connected with a political revolution

Describing things that are part of, or linked to, a political revolution or to people who want to change the government completely.

Schéma d’usage : a revolutionary [government/movement/army/court]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often use this meaning when they only want to say something is very new or creative. For example, a new smartphone is "revolutionary" in sense 1 (very new change), not "revolutionary" in the political sense. This sense should only be used for politics and revolutions.
Synonymes
insurgent (Often used for military or armed groups fighting the government; more strongly military than "revolutionary" in many contexts.) | anti-government (Broadly describes opposition to the government, not always aiming at full revolution.)
Antonymes
government (As an adjective, refers to the official side in power, the opposite of revolutionary forces or institutions.) | loyalist (Describes groups or forces that support the existing government rather than trying to overthrow it.)
Collocations
revolutionary government |revolutionary movement |revolutionary army |revolutionary forces |revolutionary slogans |revolutionary court
Thèmes
politics |history |war |law
Exemples
  • The revolutionary government nationalized all major industries.
  • He joined a revolutionary movement dedicated to overthrowing the dictatorship.
  • Revolutionary forces took control of the capital after days of fighting.
  • The new leaders set up revolutionary courts to try former officials.
  • Their songs became anthems of the revolutionary struggle.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • The revolutionary army entered the city at night.
  • A revolutionary group planned to remove the king.
  • During the war, the revolutionary government changed many laws.
  • Many people were afraid of the new revolutionary leaders.
  • Students joined a revolutionary movement at the university.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
revolutionary
API
GB/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi/
US/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi/
Syllabes et accentuation
re - volu - tion - ary (4 syllabes)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tion)
Formes du mot
Adjective
  • Base: revolutionary
Noun
  • Base: revolutionary
  • Plural: revolutionaries
Famille de mots
Forms
revolutionaries noun
Core family
revolution noun B1 revolutionize verb C1
Related words
revolt noun B2 rebellion noun B1 rebel noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
counterrevolution noun counterrevolutionary adjective
Expressions

revolutionary change

1
/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase

very great and sudden change

Change that is very big and fast, and that completely changes how something works or is done.

Exemples
  • The internet brought revolutionary change to the music industry.
  • The policy led to revolutionary change in how schools are funded.

revolutionary movement

1
/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi mˈuvmənt/
fixed phrase

group seeking political revolution

A group of people who work together to completely change or remove the government or political system.

Exemples
  • The revolutionary movement quickly gained support among young people.
  • Several revolutionary movements were active in the region during the 1970s.

revolutionary war

1
/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi wˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase

war to overthrow a system

A war in which people fight to remove the government or to become independent from another country.

Exemples
  • The country won its freedom after a long revolutionary war.
  • Many families were divided during the revolutionary war, with brothers fighting on opposite sides.

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