revivalist

[ri-vahy-vuh-list]

noun

1. a person, especially a member of the clergy, who promotes or holds religious revivals.

2. a person who revives former customs, methods, etc.

Other Word Forms

• revivalistic adjective
• nonrevivalist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of revivalist¹

First recorded in 1810–20; revival + -ist

Example Sentences

Mr. Howard has come to biography writing after a distinguished career in publishing at Doubleday Books, and he discourses with knowledge and zeal about Cowley’s second act as a revivalist and gatekeeper.

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Tapping that frustration, Al-Houthi’s older brother, Hussein, launched a revivalist movement that called for driving out Western influences and supporting Palestinians.

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They claimed that this moment would eventually bring about a “Great Awakening,” a reference to the religious revivalist movements of the 18th and 19th centuries.

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It spreads organically through social networks, social media – notably podcasts and livestreams – and revivalist meetings and workshops.

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That includes garage-rock revivalists the White Stripes, who sued Trump for using their song "Seven Nation Army" in a campaign video without permission.

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Related Words

• clergy 
• evangelist 
• messenger 
• pastor 
• preacher 
• teacher