counterrevolution
|coun-ter-rev-o-lu-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌkaʊn.tərˌrɛv.əˈluː.ʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌkaʊn.təˌrɛv.əˈluː.ʃ(ə)n/
movement against a revolution
Etymology
'counterrevolution' originates from English components 'counter-' and 'revolution'; 'counter-' ultimately derives from Old French 'contre' (from Latin 'contra') meaning 'against', and 'revolution' originates from Latin 'revolutio' (from 'revolvere') meaning 'a turning back'.
'counter-' entered English via Old French 'contre' and Middle English 'contre/contre-', while 'revolution' came into English via Old French and Middle English from Latin 'revolutio' (from 'revolvere'); the compound 'counterrevolution' formed in modern English to denote opposition to a revolution.
Initially the elements meant 'against' + 'a turning back' (Latin sense); over time the combined word came to mean specifically 'a movement opposing a political or social revolution', a meaning that has been stable in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an organized movement or attempt to overthrow a revolution and restore the previous regime or social order.
The generals planned a counterrevolution to bring back the monarchy.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
the act or process of opposing, resisting, or reversing the changes brought about by a prior revolution.
Fear of a counterrevolution kept the new leaders on guard.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/19 23:44