What does revivalistic mean?
Revivalistic means characterized by revival, restoration, or renewed enthusiasm for something that has declined or disappeared. Its best-established association is with religious revival movements, particularly the energetic preaching and missionary activity associated with nineteenth- and twentieth-century evangelical Protestantism. In broader use, the adjective can describe cultural, political, or institutional efforts to bring back earlier traditions or customs. The word may be neutral when identifying the character of a movement, but it can also carry a faintly critical implication that the enthusiasm is excessive, nostalgic, or resistant to change. A revivalistic campaign might restore traditional music, while revivalistic preaching seeks to renew religious commitment. The adjective is especially useful when discussing not merely the fact of renewal, but its distinctive spirit, methods, or intensity.
adjectiveCharacterized by revival or a strong impulse to restore former practices, institutions, or enthusiasm, especially in a religious or cultural context. It can also describe an enthusiastic movement devoted to reviving something.
- Characterized by the restoration or renewed enthusiasm of earlier practices, institutions, or traditions.
- In a religious context, characterized by the aims, methods, or fervor associated with a revival movement.
"The community's revivalistic campaign renewed interest in its traditional music and seasonal ceremonies."
"The sermon's revivalistic tone inspired several members of the congregation to rededicate themselves to the church."
"Critics regarded the reformer's revivalistic campaign as a nostalgic attempt to restore a vanished age."
Revivalistic captures the energetic conviction that something once lost can be brought back to life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does revivalistic come from?
Revivalistic was formed from revival plus the combining form -istic, meaning “relating to” or “characterized by.” Revival comes from revive, which has roots in Middle English and Old French and ultimately in Latin revivere, “to live again.” Related English forms include revivalist, revivalism, reviver, and vivify.
Related word forms
How revivalistic is actually used
The word is chiefly associated with religious revival but is also used more broadly for cultural, political, or institutional movements seeking to restore an earlier way of life. It may sound critical when applied to intense enthusiasm for reviving old practices.
Easily confused with revivalistic
A revivalist is a person who promotes or practices revival, whereas revivalistic describes a movement, outlook, or enthusiasm characterized by revival.
Revivalism is the movement or practice itself, while revivalistic is the adjective describing its methods, spirit, or character.