What does revolt mean?
Revolt describes both a forceful public act of resistance and a powerful personal reaction of disgust. As a noun, it usually refers to an uprising against a government, ruler, or other established authority, although it can also describe intense moral outrage. As a verb, revolt against means to resist or rise against authority, while revolt at or from something means to feel shocked or disgusted by it. The word often carries a serious, dramatic tone and is associated with political conflict, protest, and moral opposition. It is useful because it can describe resistance at both a collective and an individual level, while still distinguishing organized rebellion from ordinary disagreement. In everyday use, people may say they were revolted by an injustice, even when no actual uprising is involved.
An uprising or act of rebellion against authority or established control; also, a feeling of intense disgust or opposition.
"The revolt forced the officials to negotiate with the protesters."
The sense of an uprising is generally more common than the sense of disgust in contemporary usage.
To rise in rebellion against authority or established control, or to feel intense disgust or moral outrage.
"The soldiers revolted against their officers and joined the opposition movement."
The construction revolt against is especially common when describing political, social, or moral resistance.
The plural is used for separate acts of rebellion or resistance.
"Revolts against corrupt rulers continued throughout the region."
Revolt means rising up—and the same ancient root also gave us revolution, revolve, and revolver.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of revolt
Revolt entered English from French in the 16th century, with French itself having borrowed the word from Italian rivolta. These forms ultimately derive from the Latin revolvere, meaning “to turn back,” formed from re-, meaning “back,” and volvere, meaning “to turn.” The same Latin root produced related English words including revolution, revolve, and revolver.
Related word forms
How revolt is actually used
As a noun, revolt often suggests a public or organized challenge to authority, while rebellion and insurrection can imply a broader or more forceful act of resistance. As a verb, revolt against is commonly used for political or moral opposition; revolt by itself can express disgust, as in the phrase revolt at something shocking.
Easily confused with revolt
Revolt means to rebel or to feel disgust, whereas revolve means to turn or rotate around an axis.