Robespierre

American  

[rohbz-peer, -pee-air, raw-bes-pyer] / ˈroʊbz pɪər, -piˌɛər, rɔ bɛsˈpyɛr /

noun

1. Maximilien François Marie Isidore de 1758–94, French lawyer and revolutionary leader.

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Robespierre British  

/ ˈrəʊbzpjɛə, rɔbzpjɛr /

noun

1. Maximilien François Marie Isidore de . (maksimiljɛ̃ frɑ̃swa mari izidɔr də). 1758–94, French revolutionary and Jacobin leader: established the Reign of Terror as a member of the Committee of Public Safety (1793–94): executed in the coup d'état of Thermidor (1794)

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Robespierre Cultural  

1. A French political leader of the eighteenth century. Robespierre, a Jacobin, was one of the most radical leaders of the French Revolution. He was in charge of the government during the Reign of Terror, when thousands of persons were executed without trial. After a public reaction against his extreme policies, he was executed without trial.

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Example Sentences

Though imprisoned after the fall of Robespierre in 1794, David escaped the guillotine and soon returned to his portrait practice and lucrative teaching studio.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

None of the figures Mr. Hardman discusses, including Maximilien Robespierre, the provincial lawyer known for his inflexible character and unity of purpose, could break the pattern.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

Prominent French revolutionary Maximilien Robespierre met the same fate a year later.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2024

The result, which is laced with literary references, dramatizes the rivalry between two revolutionary leaders, Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2023

Less than three months later, on July 27, Robespierre himself was dispatched in the same way and in the same place, and the Reign of Terror swiftly ended.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson