uprising

noun

up·​ris·​ing ˈəp-ˌrī-ziŋ How to pronounce uprising (audio)
: an act or instance of rising up
especially : a usually localized act of popular violence in defiance usually of an established government
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This summer alone has seen youth uprisings in Nepal, Angola, and Indonesia, to say nothing of ongoing youth mobilization worldwide for a free Palestine. Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025 They were left by Jews during the Gallus Revolt, the last Jewish uprising under Roman rule, between 351 and 352 AD. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025 Arrested repeatedly since the height of the Egyptian uprising in 2011, Abd El-Fattah was sentenced in 2021 to an additional five years in jail for spreading false news and assaulting a police officer – charges that human rights organizations say were politically motivated. Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025 But offline their idea of a people’s uprising took a familiar form—its memorials are burned buildings, shattered glass, and dead people. Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uprising

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of uprising was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uprising. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

uprising

noun
up·​ris·​ing ˈəp-ˌrī-ziŋ How to pronounce uprising (audio)
: an act or instance of rising up

More from Merriam-Webster on uprising

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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