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

The protests quickly evolved into a nationwide uprising led largely by women and young people. —Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026

American air power can strike regime forces that move to suppress civilian uprisings and, in the process, probably prevent a massacre. —Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026

After the uprising began, with citizens calling for democracy outside the central mosque, the Syrian government attempted to crush it. —Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026

Enslaved by the Romans, Spartacus (Andy Whitfield; later Liam McIntyre) is forced to undergo gladiator training as the series charts his path to becoming the leader of an uprising, known as the Third Servile War. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 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