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

Dipke also took pains to distance the movement from comparisons to violent Gen Z uprisings in Nepal and Bangladesh, saying the CJP would maintain peaceful dissent within the bounds of the Constitution of India. —Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 May 2026

There was still no way of erasing Chicago’s nine-run uprising in the fourth, the most runs allowed in an inning by the Giants since 2020 (also nine, by the then-Oakland Athletics). —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 May 2026

Only through a RegalView strike and an Equisapiens uprising does Lift get his comeuppance; journalism accomplishes nothing. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 May 2026

Its clerical rulers, who put down a mass uprising at the start of the year, have faced no sign of organized opposition since the war began. —Reuters, NBC news, 20 May 2026

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