revolutionize

verb

rev·​o·​lu·​tion·​ize ˌre-və-ˈlü-shə-ˌnīz How to pronounce revolutionize (audio)
revolutionized; revolutionizing
Synonyms of revolutionize

transitive verb

1
: to overthrow the established government of
2
: to imbue with revolutionary doctrines
3
: to change fundamentally or completely
revolutionize an industry

intransitive verb

: to engage in revolution
revolutionizer noun

Examples of revolutionize in a Sentence

The invention of the airplane revolutionized travel. This new drug may revolutionize cancer treatment. This discovery has revolutionized our understanding of how the human brain works.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With its satin-matte technology and expansive shade range, the original Pro Filt’r Soft Matte foundation revolutionized how other brands approached shades, undertones, and pigments when building their own foundation libraries. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026 Gloria Steinem, the indefatigable feminist and journalist whose activism revolutionized the personal and professional lives of women, has died. — Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026 This robotic system played a key role in the Shuttle and International Space Station programs, and revolutionized human spaceflight. — Joanna Goodrich, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2026 MapQuest revolutionized road trips in the 1990s and 2000s by being one of the first websites to provide mapping services. — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for revolutionize

Word History

Etymology

revolution + -ize

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of revolutionize was in 1797

Rhymes for revolutionize

See All Rhymes for revolutionize

Browse Nearby Words

revolutionist
revolutionize
revolutionizer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Revolutionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revolutionize. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

revolutionize

verb
rev·​o·​lu·​tion·​ize ˌrev-ə-ˈlü-shə-ˌnīz How to pronounce revolutionize (audio)
revolutionized; revolutionizing
1
: to overthrow the established government of
2
: to cause a person to become a revolutionist
3
: to change greatly or completely
an invention that revolutionized the industry
revolutionizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on revolutionize

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for revolutionize

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