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revoltantemente

B1 adverb 10 min read

revoltantemente

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips revoltantemente in 30 Seconds

Explanation revoltantemente in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'revoltantemente' is quite advanced. You don't need to use it yet, but you can understand it as a very strong way to say 'very, very bad' (muito, muito mau/ruim). Think of it as 'bad' + 'angry'. If you see this word, just know that the person speaking is very unhappy with a situation. It is longer than most words you know, but the '-mente' at the end is just like '-ly' in English. It comes from 'revolta', which sounds like 'revolt'. So, it describes something that makes you want to revolt or complain loudly. At this stage, stick to 'muito ruim' or 'horrível', but keep this word in your 'passive' vocabulary for when you watch the news.

For A2 learners, you are starting to see how adverbs are formed. You know 'felizmente' (fortunately) and 'rapidamente' (quickly). 'Revoltantemente' follows the same pattern. It is used when 'horrível' is not enough. Imagine a situation that is so unfair it makes you feel sick or mad—that is 'revoltantemente'. For example, if a very rich person steals from a very poor person, that is 'revoltantemente' wrong. You might use it to describe a place that is 'revoltantemente sujo' (disgustingly dirty). It helps you express stronger emotions than the basic adjectives you learned in A1. Try to recognize the root 'revolt' to remember the meaning.

At the B1 level, you should start using 'revoltantemente' to add color and emotion to your descriptions. This word is perfect for discussing social issues, which is a common topic at this level. When you talk about the environment, politics, or social problems, 'revoltantemente' allows you to show your stance. It's not just a fact; it's your opinion. You can use it to modify adjectives like 'caro' (expensive), 'sujo' (dirty), or 'injusto' (unfair). For example: 'Os preços são revoltantemente altos.' (The prices are revoltingly high). This shows you have a higher command of the language and can express nuanced indignation rather than just simple dislike.

At B2, you are expected to understand the 'register' of words. 'Revoltantemente' is a high-impact word. You should use it in essays or formal debates to emphasize a point of moral or physical disgust. It is particularly useful in the 'Redação' (essay) part of Portuguese exams like the Celpe-Bras or CAPLE. You can use it to criticize systemic failures: 'O sistema carcerário é revoltantemente ineficaz.' It shows you can handle complex adverbs and that you understand the cultural weight of 'revolta'. You should also be able to distinguish it from 'nojentamente' (which is more for physical grossness) and 'escandalosamente' (which is more about public shock).

As a C1 learner, you use 'revoltantemente' with precision. You know that its placement can change the rhythm and emphasis of a sentence. You might use it as a 'sentence adverb' to frame an entire thought: 'Revoltantemente, a empresa continuou a poluir o rio mesmo após a multa.' This shows a sophisticated grasp of sentence structure. You also understand its use in literature and high-level journalism. You can use it ironically or to create a specific atmosphere in your writing. You are aware of its synonyms like 'abjetamente' or 'repugnantemente' and choose 'revoltantemente' specifically when you want to evoke a sense of active, justified anger in your audience.

At the C2 level, 'revoltantemente' is part of your arsenal for rhetorical excellence. You use it to master the tone of your discourse, whether you are writing a legal brief, a political manifesto, or a literary critique. You understand its historical roots and how it resonates with the Lusophone history of social struggle. You might use it to describe the 'revoltantemente' subtle ways that power is abused, or how a piece of art is 'revoltantemente' provocative. At this level, your use of the word is indistinguishable from a native speaker's, used not just for emphasis, but as a calculated tool to provoke a specific emotional or intellectual response in your listener or reader.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

revoltantemente in 30 Seconds

Revoltantemente is a strong Portuguese adverb used to describe something that is morally or physically disgusting.
It is derived from 'revoltante' (revolting) and means 'in a revolting manner'.
It is commonly used in political, social, and sensory contexts to express deep indignation.
This word is essential for B1-C2 learners to express high-level criticism and emotional stance.

The Portuguese adverb revoltantemente is a powerhouse of emotional expression, used to describe actions, situations, or qualities that are not merely bad, but deeply offensive to one's sense of justice, morality, or physical senses. Derived from the adjective 'revoltante' (revolting) and the suffix '-mente' (equivalent to the English '-ly'), it carries a weight of indignation that 'mal' (badly) or 'terrivelmente' (terribly) simply cannot convey. When a Portuguese speaker uses this word, they are signaling a visceral reaction—a turning of the stomach or a burning sense of unfairness. It is most commonly employed in socio-political critiques, descriptions of extreme negligence, or when discussing hygiene levels that are beyond the pale of social norms.

Moral Indignation: Used when a situation is so unfair it causes anger. For example, 'O dinheiro foi gasto revoltantemente em luxos inúteis' (The money was spent revoltingly on useless luxuries).

A corrupção no sistema de saúde é revoltantemente óbvia para todos os cidadãos.

In everyday conversation, you might hear it used to emphasize a negative trait that has reached an unbearable level. If a room is 'revoltantemente sujo' (revoltingly dirty), it implies that the mess is so great it causes physical disgust. The word is versatile because it bridges the gap between physical repulsion and ethical outrage. It is a B1/B2 level word because while its structure is predictable, its appropriate usage requires an understanding of cultural boundaries regarding what is considered 'revolting' in the Lusophone world.

Sensory Disgust: Refers to things that smell, look, or taste so bad they cause a physical reaction. 'O lixo cheirava revoltantemente mal sob o sol de meio-dia.'

Historically, the word shares its roots with 'revolta' (revolt/rebellion). This is key to understanding its flavor: something that is 'revoltantemente' done is something that makes you want to rise up or push back against it. It is not a passive observation; it is a call to emotional arms. Whether discussing a 'revoltantemente' high price for basic goods or a 'revoltantemente' cruel comment, the speaker is expressing that a boundary has been crossed. It is the linguistic equivalent of a disgusted shake of the head or a gasp of disbelief.

Os preços dos aluguéis nesta cidade subiram revoltantemente nos últimos dois anos.

Social Context: In Brazilian and Portuguese media, this adverb frequently appears in headlines regarding political scandals or environmental disasters, highlighting the public's expected reaction of outrage.

Using revoltantemente correctly involves placing it in a position where it can effectively amplify the negativity of a verb or adjective. In Portuguese, adverbs of manner ending in '-mente' are quite flexible, but their placement can slightly shift the emphasis of the sentence. Most often, you will find it modifying adjectives to express an extreme degree of a negative quality.

Modifying Adjectives: This is the most common use. It precedes the adjective. 'A casa estava revoltantemente imunda.' (The house was revoltingly filthy.)

Ele foi revoltantemente rude com a senhora no ônibus.

When modifying a verb, it usually follows the verb directly. This construction emphasizes the *way* an action was performed. For instance, 'Ele agiu revoltantemente' (He acted revoltingly). This suggests that his behavior was so poor it caused shock. It is also possible to place it at the beginning of a sentence for dramatic effect, followed by a comma, to set the tone for the entire statement: 'Revoltantemente, ninguém ajudou a vítima.'

Placement with Verbs: Follows the verb to describe the manner. 'O governo ignorou revoltantemente os apelos da população.'

In formal writing, such as essays or journalistic reports, revoltantemente serves as a subjective intensifier. It tells the reader how they should feel about the facts being presented. If a journalist writes that a company was 'revoltantemente negligente,' they are not just stating a fact of negligence, but are also passing a moral judgment on the severity of that negligence. This makes it a powerful tool for persuasive writing.

Aquelas crianças foram tratadas revoltantemente mal pelo orfanato.

Sentence Starters: Used to frame the whole sentence. 'Revoltantemente, o culpado foi liberado sem fiança.'

It is worth noting that 'revoltantemente' is almost never used in a positive sense. Unlike 'terrivelmente' or 'absurdamente', which can sometimes be used as slang for 'very' (e.g., 'terrivelmente bom'), 'revoltantemente' remains firmly rooted in the negative. You wouldn't say someone is 'revoltantemente bonito' unless you were trying to be extremely ironic or poetic about how their beauty is 'offensive' to others.

You will encounter revoltantemente in specific high-emotion or high-stakes environments. It is a staple of Brazilian 'telejornais' (TV news) and Portuguese 'jornais de referência' (major newspapers). When a corruption scandal breaks, or when a crime of particular cruelty is reported, commentators use this word to mirror the public's shock. It's the linguistic bridge between a cold hard fact and a collective emotional response.

News Media: Frequently used by anchors and editorialists to condemn social injustices or political malfeasance.

O apresentador descreveu o estado das escolas como revoltantemente precário.

In the digital sphere, on platforms like Twitter (X) or in the comments sections of news portals, 'revoltantemente' is used as a hashtag or a standalone exclamation to express viral outrage. It is a word that thrives in the 'echo chamber' of social media because it is so definitive. There is no room for nuance when something is described this way; it is a total rejection of the situation described. You might see a post about animal abuse or environmental destruction captioned simply: 'Isso é revoltantemente cruel.'

Another common setting is in legal or activist discourse. Lawyers might use it in court to describe the behavior of a defendant to sway the judge's or jury's emotional state. Activists use it during protests or in manifestos to highlight the 'revoltantemente' high levels of inequality or pollution. In these contexts, the word serves to de-normalize a situation—to say that what is happening should not be accepted as 'just the way things are.'

A defesa argumentou que a negligência da empresa foi revoltantemente criminosa.

Legal and Activist Use: Used to emphasize the gravity of a violation or the depth of a social problem.

Finally, in literature and cinema, specifically in the 'realismo' (realism) or 'naturalismo' (naturalism) genres, authors use 'revoltantemente' to paint vivid, often grim, pictures of poverty or human depravity. It helps create an atmosphere of 'asfixia' (suffocation) and moral decay. When reading a novel by Eça de Queirós or a modern Brazilian script, look for this word as a cue for a moment of peak tension or social commentary.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with revoltantemente is confusing it with the English 'revoltingly' in contexts where 'revoltingly' might be used as a joke or a light hyperbole. In Portuguese, 'revoltantemente' is almost always serious. If you use it to describe a slightly overcooked steak, a native speaker might think you are being incredibly dramatic or that you are actually angry at the chef on a moral level.

Misplaced Intensity: Using the word for minor inconveniences. Avoid: 'O ônibus está revoltantemente atrasado' (unless it's 5 hours late and you're furious).

Não diga revoltantemente quando você quer dizer apenas 'muito' ou 'bastante'.

Another mistake is the spelling and pronunciation of the 'an' and 'te' sounds. Learners often try to pronounce it as 're-vol-tan-te-men-tche' (with a Brazilian 'tche' sound) or 're-vol-tan-te-men-te' (with a hard European 'te'). While both are acceptable depending on the dialect, the key is the nasal 'an'. If you miss the nasalization, the word loses its rhythmic punch. Also, ensure you don't drop the 'e' between 'revoltante' and 'mente'—it is not 'revoltantmente'.

A conceptual mistake is using 'revoltantemente' when you actually mean 'disgusting' in a purely physical sense without the 'outrage' component. For a bad smell, 'repugnantemente' or 'nojentamente' might be more accurate if there's no social or moral failure involved. 'Revoltantemente' implies that the thing *should not be so*, whereas 'nojentamente' just means it is gross. If a hospital is 'nojentamente' dirty, it's gross. If it's 'revoltantemente' dirty, it's gross *and* the management should be ashamed.

Synonym Confusion: Confusing it with 'nojentamente' (disgustingly) or 'escandalosamente' (scandalously).

Lastly, be careful with the register. This is a relatively formal or high-register word. Using it in a very casual slang-filled conversation might sound out of place. It's like using the word 'abhorrently' while hanging out at a beach bar. It works for emphasis, but it changes the vibe of the conversation to something much more serious and intellectual.

If revoltantemente feels too heavy for your context, Portuguese offers several alternatives that scale the intensity or shift the focus. Understanding these nuances will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise. The most direct synonym is 'repugnantemente', but even here there are differences in usage and 'flavor'.

Repugnantemente: More focused on physical or moral repulsion. If something is 'repugnantemente' bad, it makes you want to turn away. 'Revoltantemente' makes you want to fight back.

A comida estava repugnantemente estragada, mas a atitude do dono foi revoltantemente indiferente.

Another useful alternative is 'escandalosamente' (scandalously). This is often used when discussing money, prices, or behavior that breaks social rules in a loud way. If a car is 'escandalosamente caro', it's shockingly expensive, but not necessarily 'revolting'. Use 'revoltantemente' only if that price is an insult to the poor. 'Abjetamente' is another high-level synonym, used for things that are low, mean, or despicable, often in a cowardly way.

Nojentamente: The common, informal word for 'disgustingly'. Use this for dirty bathrooms, rotten food, or gross bugs. It lacks the political/moral weight of 'revoltantemente'.
Inadmissivelmente: Meaning 'unacceptably'. This is the 'professional' version. If a report is late, it's 'inadmissivelmente' late. It sounds more like a boss reprimanding an employee than a citizen complaining about injustice.

Finally, consider 'chocantemente' (shockingly). This is a more neutral intensifier. Something 'chocantemente' good is possible, whereas 'revoltantemente' good is almost unheard of. If you want to express that something is surprisingly bad but you don't necessarily want to sound 'revolted' by it, 'chocantemente' is your best bet. It describes the surprise rather than the moral rejection.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The suffix '-mente' comes from the Latin word 'mens, mentis' (mind). So, 'revoltantemente' literally meant 'with a revolting mind' before it became a general adverb of manner.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʁɛ.vɔl.tɐ̃.tɨ.ˈmẽ.tɨ/

US /χe.vow.tɐ̃.tʃi.ˈmẽ.tʃi/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable: 'MEN'.

Rhymes With

infelizmente rapidamente gentilmente claramente fortemente doentiamente freneticamente livremente

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'l' as a hard English 'l' in Brazil (it should be like a 'w').
Missing the nasalization on the 'an' and 'men' sounds.
Stress on the 'vol' instead of the 'men'.
Dropping the 'e' in the middle (saying 'revoltantmente').
Pronouncing the final 'e' as a hard 'ay' instead of a soft 'i' or neutral sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'revolt', but the length can be intimidating.

Writing 5/5

Spelling the nasal sounds and the suffix correctly requires practice.

Speaking 6/5

Getting the rhythm and the nasal vowels right is a challenge for English speakers.

Listening 4/5

Easily understood in context due to its strong emotional tone.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

revolta ruim mal muito mente

Learn Next

repugnante abjeto escandaloso indignação inadmissível

Advanced

ignominiosamente execravelmente detestavelmente

Grammar to Know

Adverb formation with -mente

revoltante + mente = revoltantemente

Adverbial coordination (only last word takes -mente)

Ele agiu cruel e revoltantemente.

Adverbs of manner placement

Ele fala revoltantemente (after verb) / Ele é revoltantemente chato (before adjective).

Nasalization of vowels before 'm' and 'n'

The 'an' in 'revoltantemente' must be nasal.

Stress of adverbs in -mente

The stress is always on the 'men' syllable.

Examples by Level

A comida está revoltantemente ruim.

The food is revoltingly bad.

Adverb modifying the adjective 'ruim'.

O quarto está revoltantemente sujo.

The room is revoltingly dirty.

Adverb modifying 'sujo'.

Isso é revoltantemente caro!

This is revoltingly expensive!

Used for emphasis on price.

Ele fala revoltantemente alto.

He speaks revoltingly loud.

Modifying the adverb 'alto'.

O lixo cheira revoltantemente mal.

The trash smells revoltingly bad.

Modifying the adverb 'mal'.

A água está revoltantemente fria.

The water is revoltingly cold.

Expressing extreme discomfort.

Ela é revoltantemente grossa com todos.

She is revoltingly rude to everyone.

Modifying the adjective 'grossa'.

O filme foi revoltantemente chato.

The movie was revoltingly boring.

Used for extreme boredom.

O hospital estava revoltantemente lotado hoje.

The hospital was revoltingly crowded today.

Modifying 'lotado'.

Eles tratam os animais revoltantemente mal.

They treat the animals revoltingly badly.

Adverb + adverb construction.

A poluição aqui é revoltantemente visível.

The pollution here is revoltingly visible.

Modifying 'visível'.

O transporte público funciona revoltantemente devagar.

Public transport works revoltingly slowly.

Modifying 'devagar'.

A injustiça é revoltantemente comum nesta cidade.

Injustice is revoltingly common in this city.

Modifying 'comum'.

Ele agiu revoltantemente durante a reunião.

He acted revoltingly during the meeting.

Modifying the verb 'agiu'.

Aquelas fotos são revoltantemente feias.

Those photos are revoltingly ugly.

Plural agreement is not needed for the adverb.

A situação ficou revoltantemente difícil para nós.

The situation became revoltingly difficult for us.

Modifying 'difícil'.

É revoltantemente óbvio que ele está mentindo.

It is revoltingly obvious that he is lying.

Used as an intensifier for 'óbvio'.

O desperdício de comida é revoltantemente alto nos hotéis.

Food waste is revoltingly high in hotels.

Subject + verb + adverb + adjective.

Ela foi revoltantemente ignorada pelo seu chefe.

She was revoltingly ignored by her boss.

Passive voice construction.

Os salários são revoltantemente baixos para tanto trabalho.

Salaries are revoltingly low for so much work.

Expressing social indignation.

A corrupção é revoltantemente aceita por alguns políticos.

Corruption is revoltingly accepted by some politicians.

Modifying the participle 'aceita'.

O crime foi descrito como revoltantemente cruel.

The crime was described as revoltingly cruel.

Modifying 'cruel' in a formal context.

Eles vivem em condições revoltantemente precárias.

They live in revoltingly precarious conditions.

Modifying 'precárias'.

A empresa lucra revoltantemente à custa dos outros.

The company profits revoltingly at the expense of others.

Modifying the verb 'lucra'.

Revoltantemente, o projeto foi aprovado sem debate.

Revoltingly, the project was approved without debate.

Sentence-initial adverbial use.

A negligência médica foi revoltantemente fatal naquele caso.

The medical negligence was revoltingly fatal in that case.

Modifying 'fatal'.

O autor descreve a pobreza de forma revoltantemente realista.

The author describes poverty in a revoltingly realistic way.

Modifying 'realista'.

A desigualdade social cresceu revoltantemente na última década.

Social inequality has grown revoltingly in the last decade.

Modifying the verb 'cresceu'.

É revoltantemente cínico da parte deles pedir mais dinheiro.

It is revoltingly cynical of them to ask for more money.

Modifying 'cínico'.

O réu comportou-se revoltantemente diante das vítimas.

The defendant behaved revoltingly in front of the victims.

Modifying the reflexive verb 'comportou-se'.

A censura está se tornando revoltantemente comum na internet.

Censorship is becoming revoltingly common on the internet.

Progressive tense + adverb + adjective.

O descaso com a cultura é revoltantemente evidente.

The neglect of culture is revoltingly evident.

Modifying 'evidente'.

A narrativa é revoltantemente manipuladora e tendenciosa.

The narrative is revoltingly manipulative and biased.

Modifying two coordinated adjectives.

Eles exploram revoltantemente as lacunas da lei.

They revoltingly exploit the loopholes in the law.

Modifying the verb 'exploram'.

A arquitetura da cidade é revoltantemente hostil aos pobres.

The city's architecture is revoltingly hostile to the poor.

Modifying 'hostil'.

O silêncio das autoridades é revoltantemente cúmplice.

The silence of the authorities is revoltingly complicit.

Modifying 'cúmplice'.

A obra é revoltantemente desprovida de qualquer ética.

The work is revoltingly devoid of any ethics.

Modifying the phrase 'desprovida de'.

Revoltantemente, a história se repete sem que nada mude.

Revoltingly, history repeats itself without anything changing.

Sentence framing adverb.

O discurso foi revoltantemente populista e vazio.

The speech was revoltingly populist and empty.

Modifying 'populista'.

A impunidade reina revoltantemente em nosso sistema judiciário.

Impunity reigns revoltingly in our judicial system.

Post-verbal modification.

A obsolescência programada é revoltantemente antiética.

Planned obsolescence is revoltingly unethical.

Modifying 'antiética'.

O autor utiliza um tom revoltantemente sarcástico para criticar a elite.

The author uses a revoltingly sarcastic tone to criticize the elite.

Modifying 'sarcástico' within a noun phrase.

A degradação ambiental ocorre de forma revoltantemente acelerada.

Environmental degradation occurs in a revoltingly accelerated manner.

Modifying 'acelerada' within an adverbial phrase.

É revoltantemente paradoxal que um país rico tenha tanta fome.

It is revoltingly paradoxical that a rich country has so much hunger.

Modifying 'paradoxal'.

A retórica do ditador era revoltantemente hipnotizante.

The dictator's rhetoric was revoltingly mesmerizing.

Modifying 'hipnotizante' to show a negative power.

O descaso pelas vidas humanas foi revoltantemente absoluto.

The disregard for human lives was revoltingly absolute.

Modifying 'absoluto'.

A herança colonial ainda se manifesta revoltantemente no cotidiano.

Colonial heritage still manifests itself revoltingly in daily life.

Modifying the verb 'manifesta'.

A passividade da população diante do caos é revoltantemente assustadora.

The passivity of the population in the face of chaos is revoltingly frightening.

Modifying 'assustadora'.

Common Collocations

revoltantemente sujo

revoltantemente caro

revoltantemente injusto

revoltantemente cruel

revoltantemente óbvio

revoltantemente rico

revoltantemente cínico

revoltantemente feio

revoltantemente negligente

revoltantemente ignorado

Common Phrases

É revoltantemente...

— It is revoltingly... (Used to start a complaint).

É revoltantemente caro comer aqui.

Agiu revoltantemente

— Acted in a revolting way.

Ele agiu revoltantemente com os pais.

Revoltantemente mal

— Revoltingly bad/badly.

O time jogou revoltantemente mal.

Tratado revoltantemente

— Treated revoltingly.

O prisioneiro foi tratado revoltantemente.

Revoltantemente baixo

— Revoltingly low (usually for levels or prices).

O nível da água está revoltantemente baixo.

Revoltantemente fácil

— Revoltingly easy (usually ironic).

Foi revoltantemente fácil enganá-los.

Revoltantemente sujo

— Revoltingly dirty.

O chão estava revoltantemente sujo.

Soar revoltantemente

— To sound revoltingly.

Suas palavras soam revoltantemente falsas.

Parecer revoltantemente

— To look/seem revoltingly.

A situação parece revoltantemente calma.

Revoltantemente cínico

— Revoltingly cynical.

Ele deu um sorriso revoltantemente cínico.

Often Confused With

revoltantemente vs nojentamente

Nojentamente is for physical disgust; revoltantemente includes moral outrage.

revoltantemente vs escandalosamente

Escandalosamente is about public shock; revoltantemente is about personal/moral revolt.

revoltantemente vs terrivelmente

Terrivelmente can be positive ('terrivelmente bom'); revoltantemente is always negative.

Idioms & Expressions

"De dar nó no estômago"

— To give a knot in the stomach; something so revolting it makes you sick.

Aquela cena foi de dar nó no estômago.

Informal

"Cair o queixo"

— To drop the jaw; to be shockingly/revoltingly surprised.

A notícia foi de cair o queixo.

Informal

"Um tapa na cara"

— A slap in the face; a revoltingly insulting action.

O aumento de 1% foi um tapa na cara.

Informal

"De bradar aos céus"

— To shout to the heavens; something revoltingly unjust.

Essa injustiça é de bradar aos céus.

Formal

"Vergonha alheia"

— Second-hand embarrassment; often felt when someone acts revoltingly.

Senti vergonha alheia do comportamento dele.

Slang

"Passar dos limites"

— To cross the lines; to act revoltingly.

Desta vez ele passou dos limites.

Neutral

"Estar pelas carruagens"

— To be fed up; often used when things are revolting.

Estou pelas carruagens com este governo.

Informal (Portugal)

"Fazer estômago"

— To have the stomach for something revolting.

É preciso fazer estômago para ler esse relatório.

Informal

"Chutar o balde"

— To kick the bucket (give up/act out); sometimes following a revolting event.

Ele chutou o balde e saiu do emprego.

Slang

"Sangue nos olhos"

— Blood in the eyes; being revolted and ready to fight.

Ele está com sangue nos olhos depois do que aconteceu.

Slang

Easily Confused

revoltantemente vs repugnantemente

Both mean 'revoltingly'.

Repugnantemente is more about wanting to stay away; revoltantemente is more about wanting to protest.

O odor era repugnantemente forte.

revoltantemente vs abjetamente

Both describe bad behavior.

Abjetamente implies something low or cowardly; revoltantemente implies something that causes anger.

Ele mentiu abjetamente.

revoltantemente vs inadmissivelmente

Both describe something that shouldn't happen.

Inadmissivelmente is more logical/bureaucratic; revoltantemente is more emotional/moral.

O erro foi inadmissivelmente básico.

revoltantemente vs chocantemente

Both express shock.

Chocantemente can be neutral or positive; revoltantemente is strictly negative.

Ela é chocantemente talentosa.

revoltantemente vs horrorosamente

Both mean 'horribly'.

Horrorosamente is often used for looks or quality; revoltantemente is for ethics and hygiene.

Ele canta horrorosamente mal.

Sentence Patterns

Isso é revoltantemente [adjetivo].

Isso é revoltantemente caro.

Ele está revoltantemente [adjetivo].

Ele está revoltantemente sujo.

[Sujeito] agiu revoltantemente.

O governo agiu revoltantemente.

Revoltantemente, [frase completa].

Revoltantemente, ninguém disse nada.

É revoltantemente [adjetivo] que [substantivo] [verbo].

É revoltantemente óbvio que o plano falhou.

A forma revoltantemente [adjetivo] como [sujeito] [verbo].

A forma revoltantemente cínica como ele falou nos irritou.

Um [substantivo] revoltantemente [adjetivo].

Um crime revoltantemente cruel.

Tornar-se revoltantemente [adjetivo].

A situação tornou-se revoltantemente difícil.

Word Family

Nouns

revolta (revolt)

revoltado (rebel/revolted person)

revoltoso (insurgent)

Verbs

revoltar (to revolt/disgust)

revoltar-se (to rebel/get angry)

Adjectives

revoltante (revolting)

revoltado (angry/indignant)

revolução (revolution)

repugnância (repugnance)

nojo (disgust)

indignação (indignation)

abjeção (abjection)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news and serious discussions; rare in light small talk.

Common Mistakes

Using 'revoltantemente' as a positive intensifier. → Using 'extremamente' or 'incrivelmente'.
In English, we say 'disgustingly rich' as a semi-compliment. In Portuguese, this sounds purely negative.
Spelling it as 'revoltantmente'. → revoltantemente
You must keep the 'e' from the original adjective 'revoltante'.
Pronouncing the 'l' as a hard 'l' in a Brazilian context. → Pronouncing it like a 'u' or 'w'.
In Brazil, 'revoltar' sounds like 're-vow-tar'.
Using it for minor issues. → Using 'muito' or 'bastante'.
Calling a 5-minute delay 'revoltantemente' is too dramatic for daily life.
Forgetting the nasalization on 'an'. → revoltANtemente
Without the nasal sound, the word is harder for native speakers to recognize.

Tips

Be Careful with Hyperbole

Don't use 'revoltantemente' for small things like a cold coffee, or you will sound like you are overreacting.

The Nasal Sound

Practice the 'an' sound by saying 'ah' while pinching your nose. That nasal quality is essential for this word.

Synonym Choice

Use 'nojentamente' for physical dirt and 'revoltantemente' for moral issues or extreme dirt that causes outrage.

Adverb Placement

Place it before the adjective it modifies for the most natural flow: 'revoltantemente caro'.

Journalism Style

Read Brazilian or Portuguese editorials to see how they use this word to criticize government actions.

Social Justice

This is a great word for discussing social justice, a topic often found in Portuguese language exams.

Tone of Voice

Your tone should match the word. Don't say it with a smile; say it with conviction or frustration.

The Revolt Connection

Always remember: if it makes you want to start a revolt, it is 'revoltantemente' bad.

News Anchors

Listen for this word in the first 5 minutes of a news broadcast during the 'headlines' section.

Suffix Logic

Remember that -mente works exactly like -ly. If you know 'revoltante', you already know 'revoltantemente'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'REVOLT' against a 'TEN' (10) out of 10 'MESS'. REVOLT-AN-TE-MENTE. It's when something is so bad you want to start a revolt.

Visual Association

Imagine a person looking at a mountain of trash in a beautiful park and holding their nose while pointing an angry finger. That is 'revoltantemente'.

Word Web

revolta revoltante revoltado revoltantemente revoltar revolucionário revolução revoltoso

Challenge

Try to use 'revoltantemente' to describe three different things today: a news story, a price, and a mess.

Word Origin

Derived from the Portuguese adjective 'revoltante', which comes from the verb 'revoltar'. This verb originates from the Latin 'revoltare', meaning 'to turn back' or 'to roll back'.

Original meaning: To turn back or overturn, which evolved into the sense of turning against authority or turning one's stomach.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

This is a strong word. Avoid using it to describe people's appearances or cultures, as it can be highly offensive and xenophobic.

English speakers often use 'disgustingly' as a positive intensifier (e.g., 'disgustingly rich' as a compliment). In Portuguese, 'revoltantemente' is almost never a compliment.

Used in the lyrics of Brazilian 'Rock Nacional' to criticize the government. Commonly found in the editorials of 'Folha de S.Paulo' and 'Público'. A frequent term in the social realism novels of Jorge Amado.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Political Scandals

Corrupção revoltantemente óbvia
Desvio de dinheiro revoltantemente alto
Impunidade revoltantemente comum
Político revoltantemente cínico

Hygiene and Cleanliness

Lugar revoltantemente sujo
Cheiro revoltantemente forte
Banheiro revoltantemente imundo
Cozinha revoltantemente mal cuidada

Social Injustice

Desigualdade revoltantemente grande
Salários revoltantemente baixos
Tratamento revoltantemente injusto
Pobreza revoltantemente visível

Customer Service

Atendimento revoltantemente lento
Funcionário revoltantemente rude
Serviço revoltantemente caro
Atraso revoltantemente longo

Personal Behavior

Agir revoltantemente
Falar revoltantemente alto
Mentir revoltantemente
Ser revoltantemente egoísta

Conversation Starters

"Você não acha que os preços no supermercado estão revoltantemente altos ultimamente?"

"Eu vi uma notícia sobre corrupção que achei revoltantemente injusta. Você viu?"

"O que você faz quando alguém te trata de forma revoltantemente rude?"

"Você já entrou em um lugar que estava revoltantemente sujo?"

"É revoltantemente óbvio que o sistema precisa mudar, não acha?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma situação que você testemunhou e que considerou revoltantemente injusta.

Como você reage quando vê algo revoltantemente sujo em um lugar público?

Escreva sobre um momento em que alguém foi revoltantemente rude com você e como você se sentiu.

Reflita sobre um problema social no seu país que é revoltantemente ignorado pelas autoridades.

Se você pudesse mudar uma coisa revoltantemente cara no mundo, o que seria?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it is strictly negative. Using it for something good would sound very strange or confusing, unless you are being extremely ironic.

Yes, it is very common in Brazilian news and in passionate discussions about politics and social issues.

'Revoltante' is an adjective (e.g., 'a situation is revolting'), while 'revoltantemente' is an adverb (e.g., 'he acted revoltingly').

It's like the 'an' in 'pantry' but without touching your tongue to the roof of your mouth. The air goes through your nose.

Yes, much more formal and much more intense. It conveys a specific type of 'bad' that involves moral rejection.

You can describe a person's behavior or a specific trait (e.g., 'revoltantemente egoísta'), but calling a person 'revoltantemente' something is very strong.

Yes, it is used throughout the Lusophone world with the same meaning.

No, adverbs ending in -mente never change for gender or number.

The root is 'revolta' (revolt), coming from the Latin 'revoltare'.

Yes, it is considered B1 because it involves expressing complex opinions and emotions.