uproar

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noun up·roar \ ˈəp-ˌrȯr \

Definition of uproar

:a state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance

See uproar defined for English-language learners

See uproar defined for kids

Examples of uproar in a Sentence

There was a lot of public uproar over the proposed jail.
There have been uproars in the past over similar proposals.
The proposal caused an uproar.
The town was in an uproar over the proposal to build a jail.

Recent Examples of uproar from the Web

When Penn State didn’t make the College Football Playoffs last year, there was an uproar.

— jill beckman, Philly.com, "Big Ten notes: Franklin, Penn State move on from playoff snub," 30 Aug. 2017
Remember that tearful, heartfelt apology Kathy Griffin issued after an image of her holding a bloody prop head resembling Donald Trump created an uproar back in May?

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "Kathy Griffin 'no longer sorry' for controversial Trump photo," 30 Aug. 2017
What bothers many ordinary Americans is that there is far more uproar over a statue of Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville than over one of Vladimir Lenin in Seattle.

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "On Charlottesville, Trump, and Anti-Americanism," 19 Aug. 2017
Now, after the developer has invested a lot of money into this project, there is an uproar to preserve the building.

— Naperville Sun, "Letters to the editor: Many views of old Nichols Library," 18 Aug. 2017
Privately funded by the Tricentennial Foundation, a local German heritage organization, the sign caused an uproar among some members of the community.

— andy nguyen, Glendale News-Press, "After a year of controversy, a new sign tells the full history of Crescenta Valley Park," 18 Aug. 2017
In any sport, Kaepernick’s views would’ve caused an uproar.

— nathaniel friedman, GQ, "The Real Value of Colin Kaepernick," 15 Aug. 2017
He has been tapped to be acting principal position at Norton Elementary, which over the summer was thrown into an uproar when JCPS fired its last principal, Ken Stites.

— allison ross, The Courier-Journal, "Norton Elementary's acting principal wants to focus on kids, not Ken Stites' firing," 9 Aug. 2017
That crack prompted criticism from media, tennis fans, and even McEnroe's daughters, and the resulting uproar has dominated his appearances on late-night talk shows and sports-talk radio.

— Philly.com, "No apologies from John McEnroe in 'But Seriously'," 16 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uproar.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of uproar

by folk etymology from Dutch oproer, from Middle Dutch, from op up (akin to Old English ūp) + roer motion; akin to Old English hrēran to stir

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First Known Use: 1526

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uproar Synonyms

UPROAR Defined for English Language Learners

uproar

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noun

Definition of uproar for English Language Learners

: a situation in which many people are upset, angry, or disturbed by something

UPROAR Defined for Kids

uproar

play

noun up·roar \ ˈəp-ˌrȯr \

Definition of uproar for Students

:a state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance

Now the dining room was in an uproar … as the men jumped to their feet in confusion.
—Judith Berry Griffin, Phoebe the Spy

History for uproar

In spite of appearances, the -roar part of the word uproar has no historical connection with the sound made by some animals. In Dutch oproer means “revolt, uprising,” having been compounded from op, “up,” and roer, “motion.” When the word was taken into English, its Dutch meaning was kept at first, but its spelling was altered to fit already familiar English words. English speakers assumed that the -roar in uproar did indeed refer to loud cries, and so the word went from meaning “uprising” to “a state of commotion.”