counter-revolution
|coun-ter-rev-o-lu-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌkaʊn.tɚˌrɛv.əˈluː.ʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌkaʊn.təˌrɛv.əˈluː.ʃən/
opposition to a revolution
Etymology
'counter-revolution' originates from a combination of the prefix 'counter-' (from Old French 'contre'/'counter', ultimately from Latin 'contra') and the noun 'revolution' (from French 'révolution', from Latin 'revolutio'), where 'counter-' meant 'against' and 'revolutio' meant 'a turning or rolling back.'
'counter-' changed from Latin 'contra' to Old French 'contre' and Middle English 'counter', while 'revolution' came from Latin 'revolutio' to Old French 'revolution' and then to Middle English; the compound 'counter-revolution' arose in modern English to denote opposition to a revolution.
Initially, Latin 'revolutio' meant 'a turn' (a physical or figurative turning), but over time it evolved to mean a political 'overthrow' or major change; 'counter-' retained the sense 'against', and together the compound came to mean opposition to a revolution.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an organized attempt to oppose, reverse, or overthrow a revolution and restore the previous political order.
The general led a counter-revolution to restore the monarchy.
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Noun 2
the act or process of resisting or rolling back changes brought about by a revolution (can be smaller-scale or gradual rather than a single event).
Many historians debate whether the policy shifts constituted a counter-revolution or a form of political reconciliation.
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Noun 3
a movement or event aiming to restore an earlier regime or social order after it has been displaced by revolution.
The coup was widely seen as a counter-revolution against the revolutionary government.
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Last updated: 2025/11/19 23:55