uprising

1 of 2

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

uprising

2 of 2

present participle of uprise entry 1

Synonyms of uprising

Noun

• 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

Noun

The government quickly put down the uprising.

the uprising was quickly and brutally suppressed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 1989, two years into the first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, Mansour and three fellow artists—Nabil Anani, Vera Tamari, and Tayseer Barakat—made art history, cofounding the New Visions movement. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

People incarcerated at the Attica Correctional Facility in New York initiated an uprising by taking control of the prison, demanding better living conditions and rights. — USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Prosecutors allege the three journalists incited the suppression of student demonstrators during the uprising. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

That summer, Detroit was paralyzed by a violent uprising, which erupted after the city’s predominantly white police force raided a night club in a Black neighborhood. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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