Revolutionary movement to curb ultimately repressive acts (5)
I believe the answer is:
rites
'revolutionary movement to' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'curb ultimately repressive acts' is the wordplay.
'curb' becomes 'rit' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ultimately' says to take the final letters.
The last letters of 'repressive acts' are 'es'.
'rit'+'es'='RITES'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rites that I've seen before include "Rituals" , "Formal ceremonial procedures" , "Customary observances, religious say" , "formal procedure" , "Ceremonies or services" .)