revolutionary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "revolutionary" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that brings about significant change or innovation. An example is: "The new technology is considered revolutionary in the field of medicine." Alternative expressions include "groundbreaking," "transformative," and "innovative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was Bernardo O'Higgins, the son of an Irish engineer, who led the revolutionary army against the Spaniards.

The Guardian - Travel

I am not a martyr, nor am I attempting to change the world in any revolutionary way.

The Guardian - Music

Hard as it is to imagine, revolutionary Iran continued to cooperate with Israel during much of the 1980s and 1990s despite the mutually bellicose rhetoric out of Tehran and Tel Aviv.

The Guardian

In what appears to be an early application of art therapy, new research suggests that the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí used the garden of a psychiatric hospital as a testing ground for his revolutionary designs, with the patients serving as his artisans.

The Guardian

The German side were wearing a revolutionary new piece of kit – boots with screw-in studs that could be altered depending on the conditions.

The Guardian - Sport

There is a lot at stake for Sinn Féin this weekend, though, besides trying to still appear edgy and revolutionary in order to fend off accusations of reformism and sell-out.

The Guardian

The "enemies within" and the "organised revolutionary minority" bent on overthrowing the old order turned out to be globalised finance, not the Communist party.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We will create a judicial system that is fair and this will prove our commitment to the rule of law," Jehani said of his country's burgeoning post-revolutionary administration.

The Guardian

The attack on the school, and the US embassy, was a public relations disaster for Tunisia, which is seeking to position itself as the most stable post-revolutionary country in the Arab world.

The Guardian

After nearly three years of post-revolutionary chaos, they also see Sisi as the restorer of stability – despite a rise in state-sponsored killing since Morsi's ousting.

The Guardian

But it's worth remembering the totalitarian potential, as well as the outright brutality, of the White counter-revolutionary forces during this period.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "revolutionary" to suggest a complete or fundamental shift in thinking or approach. For example, "The company's new policies represent a revolutionary change in its approach to employee relations."

Common error

Avoid using "revolutionary" to describe minor improvements or changes. Reserve it for situations where the impact is truly transformative and groundbreaking, not just incrementally better.

Linguistic Context

The word "revolutionary" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something causing or relating to a major change. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of numerous examples, where "revolutionary" consistently describes impactful innovations or shifts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Music

15%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Books

7%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "revolutionary" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that brings about significant and impactful change. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using "revolutionary", it's important to reserve it for situations where the impact is truly transformative and avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "groundbreaking" or "innovative" may be more appropriate for minor improvements. While the word maintains a neutral register, its communicative purpose is to emphasize the transformative nature of the subject. Its frequent use in authoritative sources like The Guardian underscores its relevance in describing impactful innovations and shifts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

groundbreaking

Suggests a completely new approach or discovery.

innovative

Focuses on the novelty and creativity of a new idea or method.

transformative

Emphasizes the significant and lasting impact of a change.

radical

Implies a fundamental or dramatic shift, often from the root.

pioneering

Highlights the act of being the first to explore or develop something.

unprecedented

Indicates that something has never happened or been done before.

cutting-edge

Refers to the most advanced or innovative stage of development.

game-changing

Suggests an alteration that fundamentally shifts the dynamics of a situation.

pathbreaking

Similar to pioneering, but emphasizes the creation of a new path or direction.

avant-garde

Describes something that is experimental, radical, or unorthodox with respect to art, culture, or society.

FAQs

How can I use "revolutionary" in a sentence?

You can use "revolutionary" to describe something that causes significant change or innovation. For instance, "The new technology is a revolutionary advancement in the field of medicine".

What can I say instead of "revolutionary"?

You can use alternatives like "groundbreaking", "innovative", or "transformative" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "revolutionary" to describe a minor improvement?

No, it's best to reserve "revolutionary" for changes that are truly transformative and groundbreaking, not just incrementally better. Overusing it can diminish its impact.

What's the difference between "revolutionary" and "radical"?

"Revolutionary" typically refers to a widespread and significant change, while "radical" implies a more fundamental or extreme departure from the norm.