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

Although originally built as a military post housing garrisons sent to quell the Jacobite uprisings, the beautiful town today has a happier purpose. —Patti Nickell, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026

The song, released in 1980 on Judas Priest’s British Steel, was recorded amid the British working class’ uprising against Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s conservative government. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2026

The National Park Service-run site commemorates the June 1969 uprising at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan, a six-day rebellion that sparked the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement. —Sophie Brams, The Hill, 13 Feb. 2026

Medical workers sympathetic to the uprising, meanwhile, have also changed the names and injuries listed on some patients’ medical charts, to protect their identities from authorities. —Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 11 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