revolt

verb /rɪˈvoʊlt/ | noun /rɪˈvoʊlt/

Origin

From Latin "revolvere" (to roll back), via French "révolter" (to rebel)

Meanings

As a verb

1. To rise up against authority or control in protest or rebellion

   • "The citizens revolted against the oppressive regime."
   • "The soldiers revolted when their pay was cut."

2. To feel or express strong disgust or repugnance

   • "She revolted at the sight of the rotten food."
   • "The idea of eating insects revolts many people."

As a noun

1. An act of rebellion or revolution against authority
   • "The peasant revolt spread across the country."
   • "A tax revolt led to major policy changes."

Word Forms

• noun: revolt, revolts
• verb: revolt, revolts, revolting, revolted
• adjective: revolting
• adverb: revoltingly

Synonyms

• verb: rebel, resist, mutiny, rebel, uprising
• noun: rebellion, revolution, insurrection, uprising
• revolting: disgusting, repulsive, repugnant

Memory Tricks

1. Think "RE + VOLT": Like an electrical VOLT, it represents a powerful force pushing back (RE) against something
2. Remember the phrase "VOLT of energy" - revolts are energetic actions against authority
3. Think of the word "revolution" - revolt is like a smaller version of a revolution

Usage Notes

• Often used with prepositions "against" or "from"
• Can be used both literally (political uprising) and figuratively (feeling disgust)
• The adjective "revolting" is commonly used informally to mean "disgusting"