Revolutionary

adjective; noun

/ˌrɛvəˈluːʃənəri/

A person who advocates or engages in the forcible overthrow of an established government or social order in favour of a new system.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The framers of the Indian Constitution channelled revolutionary aspirations into peaceful, institutional reform, converting the fervour of the freedom struggle into a durable framework of rights and representative governance.

Synonyms

radicalinsurgentrebelliousseditiousgroundbreakingtransformative

Antonyms

conservativereactionaryconventionalevolutionary

🌱 Word Family

revolution (n), revolutionise (v), revolutionised (adj), revolutionist (n), counter-revolution (n)

🔡 Root

Latin revolutio = a turning around (from revolvere); re- = again; -volutio from volvere = to roll; -ary = pertaining to

📜 Etymology

From Latin revolutio ("a turning around"), via French revolution; the adjective revolutionary formed from revolution + -ary suffix; first used in English in the late 1600s.

🧠 Memory Hook

Think "REVOLVE" + "-tionary": a revolution turns the existing order all the way around — a revolutionary is the one spinning the wheel of radical change.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2014 — Modern India

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Revolutionary” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Revolutionary Nationalists

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