anti-revolutionary
|an-ti-re-vo-lu-tion-ar-y|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.rɛvəˈluː.ʃəˌnɛr.i/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.rɛvəˈluː.ʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/
against revolution / opposed to radical change
Etymology
'anti-revolutionary' originates from a combination of the prefix 'anti-' and the adjective 'revolutionary'. 'Anti-' comes from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against', and 'revolutionary' is built from 'revolution' + '-ary'.
'Revolution' comes from Latin 'revolutio' (a turning back), from 'revolvere' 'to turn back' (re- 'back' + volvere 'to turn'). The adjective 'revolutionary' developed from 'revolution' via Late Latin and Old French into Middle English. The compound 'anti-revolutionary' was formed in English by combining the prefix 'anti-' with 'revolutionary' to denote opposition to revolution.
Originally 'revolution' meant 'a turn' or 'a return' (a physical or celestial turning); over time it shifted to mean a major political or social upheaval. Consequently, 'anti-revolutionary' came to mean 'against political or social revolution' rather than literally 'against a turning'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is opposed to revolution or revolutionary change; someone who supports existing order against revolutionary movements.
During the uprising, anti-revolutionaries organized to defend the old regime.
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Noun 2
opposition to revolution as a political stance or movement.
The party's platform was explicitly anti-revolutionary, emphasizing stability over change.
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Adjective 1
opposed to revolution or to revolutionary movements and ideas; resisting radical political change.
The government adopted anti-revolutionary measures to prevent unrest.
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Last updated: 2025/11/20 00:06