launch a revolt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "launch a revolt" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of initiating a rebellion or uprising against authority. Example: The citizens decided to launch a revolt against the oppressive regime. Alternative expressions include "start a rebellion" and "initiate an uprising."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the course of the 18th century, however, a number of changes occurred both in the international situation and in Greek society itself that gave rise to hopes that the Greeks might themselves launch a revolt against Ottoman authority with some promise of success.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In 1185 the brothers Ivan and Peter Asen of Tŭrnovo launched a revolt to throw off Byzantine sovereignty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During the minority of King Charles VIII, he launched a revolt and was imprisoned (1488).

Encyclopedia Britannica

On November 1 1954, the Front de Libération Nationale (FLN), founded four months earlier, launched a revolt throughout Algeria.

The Guardian

Los concuñados del cuarenta y siete, by Luisa Moreno Sartorio, a Paraguayan Argentine author, is set in Paraguay in 1947, when the Liberal Party launched a revolt against the country's president and the ruling Colorado Party that resulted in a devastating civil war.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He left a small garrison there and departed, but the inhabitants launched a revolt soon after.

Wikipedia

From this position, he launched a revolt in July 803, probably in opposition to Nikephoros's economic and religious policies.

Wikipedia

Eventually, Andronikos I Komnenos, a grandson of Alexios I, launched a revolt against his younger relative and managed to overthrow him in a violent coup d'état.

Wikipedia

In the mid-summer of 1925 Sultan Pasha al-Atrash rallied his Druze fighters and launched a revolt against French rule in Jabal al-Arab.

Wikipedia

The anarchists venerated John Brown, the visionary terrorist who had attempted to launch a slave revolt, and Brown's eldest son sent a box of Catawba grapes to each of them in prison.

The New Yorker

The Bold Prediction Travelers will launch a silent revolt, avoiding airports, driving to meetings and using teleconferencing.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the scale of the conflict before choosing this phrase; it is best suited for significant historical or political events rather than minor personal disagreements.

Common error

Ensure you are using "revolt" as a noun meaning rebellion rather than the present participle "revolting" which means disgusting. While both share a root, saying someone is "launching something revolting" implies they are starting something offensive to the senses rather than a political uprising.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "launch a revolt" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "launch" serves as the action verb and "revolt" acts as the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is standard for describing the commencement of a significant event. It follows the typical English pattern of Verb + Determiner + Noun.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Professional

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "launch a revolt" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to describe the initiation of an uprising. While Ludwig AI identifies the specific exact-match frequency as "Rare" in contemporary snippets, the phrase and its variations (like "launched a revolt") are staples of historical and political reporting. It suggests a level of planning and intent that simpler verbs like "start" might lack. Experts recommend this phrase for its precision in denoting the transition from internal discontent to external action. It is most frequently found in authoritative sources such as Encyclopedia Britannica and The New York Times, making it a reliable choice for writers seeking a professional yet impactful tone. Avoid using it for minor disputes to maintain its rhetorical power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start a rebellion

Uses a more common verb and noun pairing to describe organized resistance.

initiate an uprising

More formal and suggests a widespread movement from the lower classes.

spearhead a revolt

Emphasizes the leadership and front-line role in starting the rebellion.

spark an insurrection

Implies a sudden or violent beginning to an armed rebellion.

lead a revolution

Suggests a higher level of organization aiming for total systemic change.

trigger a mutiny

Specifically refers to a revolt against authority within a military or naval context.

incite a riot

Focuses on provoking a group to engage in violent public disorder rather than a strategic revolt.

commence a coup

Restricted to the sudden and illegal seizure of power from a government.

kick off a defiance

More informal and describes the start of a general refusal to obey authority.

organize a protest

Describes a non-violent or legal form of expressing disapproval which is less severe than a revolt.

FAQs

How to use "launch a revolt" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the start of a rebellion, such as: "The local population decided to "launch a revolt" against the unjust taxation policies."

What can I say instead of "launch a revolt"?

You can use alternatives like "start a rebellion", "initiate an uprising" or "spark an insurrection" depending on the level of intensity you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "launch a revolt" or "start a revolt"?

Both are grammatically correct. "start a revolt" is more common in everyday speech while "launch a revolt" often appears in historical and journalistic writing to imply a more strategic or formal beginning.

What is the difference between "launch a revolt" and "incite a riot"?

To "launch a revolt" implies an organized attempt to overthrow authority, whereas to "incite a riot" focuses on provoking immediate and often chaotic public violence.