/ɹɪˈvoʊlt/
Say it backRevolt is a verb or noun meaning to rise in opposition or armed resistance against authority, or to rebel. In verb form, it typically denotes initiating opposition or mutiny; as a noun, it refers to an act of rebellion or an uprising. It conveys strong dissatisfaction that leads to collective action, often with organized or systemic intent. Different contexts include political uprisings, social protests, or personal or organizational resistance to control.
"The workers decided to revolt after years of stagnant wages and unsafe conditions."
"A military revolt briefly toppled the regime."
"She threatened to revolt if her terms were not met."
You pronounce it as rɪˈvoʊlt (US/UK approximation). The stress is on the second syllable: re-VE-lt, with a long oʊ vowel in the final syllable. Start with a short r, followed by a schwa or a quick i sound, then a clear 'voh' with the long o, and finish with the 'lt' cluster. In IPA: US/UK: rɪˈvoʊlt. Think of it as ‘re-VOHLT’ with the emphasis on VO. Be sure to blend the final 'lt' without a heavy pause.
Two common mistakes: (1) Misplacing the stress, saying ‘RE-volt’ with emphasis on the first syllable. (2) Mispronouncing the final vowel as a short ‘uh’ or delaying the l-sound, producing ‘ri-VO-lit’ or ‘rih-VOH-lt’. Correction: keep strong secondary syllable stress on the ‘VOH’ and end abruptly with ‘lt’ without a separate syllable; the final t should be crisp. Practicing the diacritic cue /ˈvoʊlt/ helps align the mouth for the long o and the final consonant cluster.
In US English, r-colored rhotics are typical: rɪˈvoʊlt with a clear rhotic r. In many UK dialects, non-rhotic variants may reduce postvocalic r, yielding rɪˈvoʊlt or a slightly weaker /ɹ/; the vowel quality remains the same. In Australian English, rhoticity is non-rhotic in many contexts but often with a less pronounced r, giving rɪˈvoːlt or rɪˈvoːlt depending on the speaker. The primary difference is rhoticity and vowel length; the nucleus in the second syllable remains a long oʊ in most accents.
The challenge lies in the consonant cluster at the end (lt) after a long vowel and the placement of primary stress on the second syllable, which may feel counterintuitive for learners expecting a stronger final syllable. The long vowel /oʊ/ requires a gliding transition from the rounded lips to the alveolar-tap/approximant before the final /l/ and /t/. Beginners often mispronounce it as re-volt with a short o or over-emphasize the t. Focus on the long nucleus and a crisp finish.
In American and many British pronunciations, the onset of /lt/ after a long /oʊ/ has a light, almost imperceptible /l/ that coalesces with the following /t/ for a compact ending. The transition from /oʊ/ to /l/ should be smooth, avoiding a separate elongated vowel for the /l/. This is a subtle but important feature: the vowel ends before the /l/ quickly, so the /l/ and /t/ move together as a point of contact. Ensure your lips round for /oʊ/ then quickly relax into the /l/ before releasing the /t/.
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Revolt comes from the Old French revolt, from re- (again, back) + volt (turn, roll) from Latin volvere (to roll, turn). The word entered English in the 14th century with the sense of turning back or rolling away in rebellion. Initially used to describe political uprisings or military insurrections, it preserved the charge of turning against an authority. Over time, revolt broadened to include personal or ideological defiance and social movements, as well as the act of turning away from established norms. The noun form appeared as the name for a rebellion, while the verb form gained the sense of launching or participating in rebellion. The root vol- (to turn) is cognate with revolution, involved in turning or rotating influence rather than mere movement. First known uses include the Middle English revolten/muevolte and Old French revolt, with citations attesting to rebellion and resistance across European political contexts. The evolution reflects shifting political landscapes, where revolts could be spontaneous or organized, and the term has retained a strong connotation of active opposition rather than passive dissent. In modern usage, revolt also appears in figurative senses, describing a strong emotional reaction or refusal to accept a circumstance.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "revolt" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "revolt"
-olt sounds
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