revisionism

American  

[ri-vizh-uh-niz-uhm] / rɪˈvɪʒ əˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. advocacy or approval of revision.

2. any departure from Marxist doctrine, theory, or practice, especially the tendency to favor reform above revolutionary change.

3. a departure from any authoritative or generally accepted doctrine, theory, practice, etc.

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revisionism British  

/ rɪˈvɪʒəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. (sometimes capital)

   1. a moderate, nonrevolutionary version of Marxism developed in Germany around 1900

   2. (in Marxist-Leninist ideology) any dangerous departure from the true interpretation of Marx's teachings

2. the advocacy of revision of some political theory, religious doctrine, historical or critical interpretation, etc

3. (usually capital) an ultra-nationalist form of Zionism that arose in Palestine in the 1940s

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• revisionist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of revisionism

First recorded in 1900–05; revision + -ism

Example Sentences

“Now I Surrender,” a pendant work of revisionism that centers on Geronimo’s defiance and defeat, is a longer, more complicated novel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

In a statement, organisers of the rallies decried the "violence, historical revisionism, and intimidation" of the past months, as the crowds marched with banners and signs.

From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025

Like the origins of the Cold War, the legacy of the Versailles Treaty has been subject to so much revisionism, tendentious pleading and misinformation that closer examination is warranted.

From Salon • Aug. 19, 2023

Nonetheless, it, too, is laying its fabrics open to revisionism.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 21, 2023

Recognizing and obeying past treaties wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. isn’t this all just revisionism?

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• blasphemy
• fallacy