uprising

noun

up·​ris·​ing ˈəp-ˌrī-ziŋ 

: an act or instance of rising up

especially : a usually localized act of popular violence in defiance usually of an established government

Synonyms of uprising

• revolt
• insurrection
• rebellion
• mutiny

Choose the Right Synonym for uprising

rebellion, revolution, uprising, revolt, insurrection, mutiny mean an outbreak against authority.

rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds.

a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders

an insurrection of oppressed laborers

mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

Examples of uprising in a Sentence

The government quickly put down the uprising.

the uprising was quickly and brutally suppressed

Recent Examples on the Web

In the early 2010s, spontaneous uprisings rocked the heavily autocratic Middle East and North Africa. —Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

The anti-government group, which is based in Los Angeles, where the mass uprisings against Immigration and Customs Enforcement erupted earlier this year, also allegedly planned to target ICE agents and vehicles. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 15 Dec. 2025

The metal fence around the mosque was covered with hundreds of photographs of Syrians killed during Assad's crackdown on the uprising in 2011 and 2012. —Jane Arraf, NPR, 12 Dec. 2025

The exhibition features six looks inspired by pivotal moments in Los Angeles history, including Jazz on Central Avenue, the Zoot Suit Riots of 1942, and the 1992 uprising. —Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 8 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uprising

• advising
• apprising
• arising
• baptizing
• capsizing
• chastising
• comprising
• despising
• devising
• disguising
• downsizing
• excising

Kids Definition

uprising

noun

up·​ris·​ing ˈəp-ˌrī-ziŋ 

: an act or instance of rising up