uproar

noun

up·​roar ˈəp-ˌrȯr 

: a state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance

Synonyms

• commotion
• disturbance
• stir
• turmoil
• fuss
• hurry

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 on the Web

The initial decision to sideline Dixon sparked an uproar on UNC’s campus, with members of the university’s community rallying in support – and against – the professor on Wednesday. —Julia Bonavita , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025

The industry uproar over Norwood comes as Hollywood grapples with the increasing intersection of AI and film and TV production. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025

Collier's statement made huge waves among WNBA fans, with her claims about what Engelbert said in regards to Clark leading to most of the uproar. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

The wild card Roki Sasaki’s mere signing in Los Angeles was enough to spark an uproar. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uproar

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

uproar

noun

up·​roar ˈəp-ˌrō(ə)r 

-ˌrȯ(ə)r

: a state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance

Etymology

from Dutch oproer "revolt, uprising," from op "up" and roer "motion"; the English spelling and meaning influenced by the similarity of the English roar to Dutch roer

Word Origin

The -roar part of the word uproar has no connection with the sounds made by some animals and crowds. The first use of uproar was as the translation of the Dutch word oproer, meaning "uprising, rebellion, revolt." Thus, the first meaning of uproar was the same as the Dutch meaning of oproer. Nowadays, this sense of uproar is no longer used. Because people thought that the roar of uproar referred to loud cries and sounds, they began to use the word to mean "a noisy disturbance or commotion." This is the sense of uproar that has survived.