revolutionize
rev-uh-LOO-shuh-nyz
/ˌrev.əˈluː.shən.aɪz/
To change something radically or fundamentally.
Implies a complete, dramatic, and irreversible transformation of a system, industry, or way of life.
The story behind the word. The root is 'volvere,' meaning to roll. Originally, 'revolution' was an astronomical term describing the circular motion of planets rolling back to their starting points. In the 17th century, it took on a political meaning—the 'turning over' of a government. Finally, it became a verb meaning to completely overturn and rebuild any system or technology.
Word relationships
- transform: Transform means to change the form or appearance of something, while revolutionize implies a much more radical, systemic, and dramatic upheaval of the old order.
- overhaul: Overhaul implies taking a system apart to repair or improve it, while revolutionize implies replacing the old system entirely with something brand new.
- preserve: To preserve is to keep something in its original state and prevent it from changing.
Commonly confused with
- evolve: Evolve implies a slow, gradual change over a long period, whereas revolutionize implies a rapid, sudden, and complete transformation.
Word family
- revolution (noun): A forcible overthrow of a government or social order, or a dramatic wide-reaching change.
- revolutionary (adjective): Involving or causing a complete or dramatic change.
Collocations
- revolutionize the industry
- completely revolutionize
- revolutionize the way we
- potential to revolutionize
Example sentences
- "The invention of the steam tractor would revolutionize farming practices across the globe." A documentary on the history of agriculture.
- "This new gene-editing technology has the potential to revolutionize how we treat hereditary diseases." A medical breakthrough announcement.
Memory hook
A revolution is a complete 'spin' or 'turn' of the wheel—everything that was on the bottom is now on top. Revolutionize turns the old way completely upside down.
When not to use
Do not use for minor, incremental updates. Adding a new color option to a product does not 'revolutionize' it.
Fun facts
- Copernicus's famous book 'De revolutionibus orbium coelestium' (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres) used 'revolution' in its original astronomical sense, but the book itself ended up revolutionizing science!
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