uproar

noun

up·​roar ˈəp-ˌrȯr 

: a state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance

an uproar over the proposed building development

Synonyms of uproar

• commotion
• disturbance
• stir
• fuss
• turmoil
• hurry

Examples of uproar in a Sentence

There was a lot of public uproar over the proposed jail.

There have been uproars in the past over similar proposals.

The proposal caused an uproar.

The town was in an uproar over the proposal to build a jail.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bad Bunny headlined the show in February, which created an uproar and something of a culture war. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

The Ramaswamy campaign cut in half the length of the ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother after the spot sparked an uproar. — Maegan Vazquez, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026

The fatal shooting of Kohen on June 14 caused an uproar in this small town some 40 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee, where Black residents have long complained about police harassment. — Dan Gallo, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

The three mothers who spoke with CNN are upset that there had been no communication about the use of GLOVEs in Millard Public Schools until after the uproar and action taken in neighboring Omaha. — Rachel Clarke, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from Dutch oproer, from Middle Dutch, from op up (akin to Old English ūp) + roer motion; akin to Old English hrēran to stir

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uproar

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

uproar

noun

up·​roar ˈəp-ˌrō(ə)r 

-ˌrȯ(ə)r

: a state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance

Etymology

from Dutch oproer "revolt, uprising," from op "up" and roer "motion"; the English spelling and meaning influenced by the similarity of the English roar to Dutch roer

Word Origin

The -roar part of the word uproar has no connection with the sounds made by some animals and crowds. The first use of uproar was as the translation of the Dutch word oproer, meaning "uprising, rebellion, revolt." Thus, the first meaning of uproar was the same as the Dutch meaning of oproer. Nowadays, this sense of uproar is no longer used. Because people thought that the roar of uproar referred to loud cries and sounds, they began to use the word to mean "a noisy disturbance or commotion." This is the sense of uproar that has survived.