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

Before the Stonewall uprising, LGBTQ+ people had few legal protections and often faced discrimination that was accepted by society. — Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

An uprising that left inmates in control of a detention center has ended with some people injured, North Carolina officials say. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026

Born out of the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York, Pride Month has grown into a global celebration of LGBTQ+ communities, with marches and festivals taking place in cities across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. — ABC News, 28 June 2026

But the Republican pollster Patrick Ruffini notes that the socialist uprising isn’t just at the expense of centrists or the establishment. — W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 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