WordGarden.iocounterrevolutionary
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˌkaʊntərɛvəˈluʃəˌnɛri/
Meanings
Adjective
opposing or seeking to reverse a revolution or radical political change
Noun
a person who supports or takes part in a counterrevolution
Beyond the definition
Imagine a kingdom where people rise up demanding change—that’s a revolution. A counterrevolutionary is a person or group that tries to stop that revolution or turn things back to the old system. They may support the former rulers, old laws, or old social rules, and they may organize, campaign, or even fight to bring them back.
The term often comes up during or after major political events like the French Revolution or the Russian Revolution. It’s not just about saying “I don’t like this change”; it suggests active resistance and an effort to undo what the revolution did. Think of someone trying to put a genie back in the bottle—that’s the basic idea. The word is often used in a negative way, especially by people who support the revolution.
"Counterrevolutionary" describes a person or movement that actively opposes a revolution or significant societal change. It's more than just disagreement; it implies an effort to undo revolutionary changes and restore a previous political or social order. The "revolution" in question doesn't necessarily have to be violent – it can refer to any fundamental shift in power, beliefs, or customs.
Historically, the term gained prominence during periods of intense political upheaval like the French Revolution (where royalists fought against the republic) and the Russian Revolution (where "Whites" opposed the Bolsheviks). However, it's not limited to those specific events. Any movement seeking to reverse progressive changes can be labeled counterrevolutionary.
The word is often used as a criticism, suggesting resistance to change and a desire to keep (or bring back) an unequal system. At the same time, it can be used as a label to discredit opponents: people in power might call an opposition group "counterrevolutionary" even if that group mainly wants a different kind of change rather than a full return to the past. For example, during the Cold War, both sides accused each other of supporting counterrevolutionary forces in various countries.
The term can describe people ("counterrevolutionaries"), but it’s also common as an adjective: "counterrevolutionary forces," "counterrevolutionary violence," "counterrevolutionary ideas." It's a politically charged word, and whether someone or something is truly counterrevolutionary depends heavily on perspective and on how the revolution itself is being defined. It’s not simply about being against change in general, but about opposing a specific transformative process and trying to bring back what came before.
Examples
- 1
Armed conflict
The government claimed it was fighting counterrevolutionary forces in the countryside.
- 2
Press criticism
At the time, any newspaper that questioned the reforms risked being called counterrevolutionary.
- 3
Political label
Decades later, historians argued that the label counterrevolutionary had often been used to silence political opponents.
See also
Similar
- anti-revolutionary
- reactionary
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- counterrevolutionary forces
- counterrevolutionary movement
- counterrevolutionary propaganda
Word family
Explore
- counterinsurgency
- restoration
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- counterrevolutionaryadjectivenoun