uprising 1 of 2

Definition of uprisingnext
as in revolt
open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the uprising was quickly and brutally suppressed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

uprising

2 of 2

verb

present participle of uprise

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun uprising differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of uprising are insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolt, and revolution. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

When would mutiny be a good substitute for uprising?

The words mutiny and uprising are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

When could rebellion be used to replace uprising?

The meanings of rebellion and uprising largely overlap; however, rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

How are the words revolt and insurrection related as synonyms of uprising?

Both 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

Where would revolution be a reasonable alternative to uprising?

In some situations, the words revolution and uprising are roughly equivalent. However, revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of uprising
Noun
Or perhaps the Black policemen, who often watched the house without their white commanding officer, secretly sympathized with the uprising. Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 Fifty years after the uprising, however, there are still concerns about the plight of young people in the country. ABC News, 15 June 2026
Verb
But was that uprising really such a good idea? The New Yorker, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uprising
Noun
  • Soon, this kind of spirit will carry the 13 colonies to protest, revolt and win the American Revolution.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • The rebellion was the first major popular revolt in England’s North American colonies and reflected tensions over frontier settlement, relations with Native Americans, political authority, and access to land.
    Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Not surprisingly, the number keeps rising.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 June 2026
  • Enter Maddie’s Secret, Early’s directorial debut, which follows a chef at GourMaybe Test Kitchen whose rising place in the food-influencer world clashes with her lifelong struggle with bulimia.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • With salon gel manicures and pedicures climbing past $40 a visit, social media tutorials demystifying nail care and growing concern about gel ingredients, more people are trading the salon chair for a setup on the kitchen table.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026
  • Sonic made the biggest jump of any brand in the survey, climbing from 73 to 77 after adding more affordable menu items.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Egyptian army chief General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi led the insurrection after weeks of widespread national protests.
    USA Today, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • Penn, known for his strong political convictions, previously attended a public hearing of the House select committee investigating the deadly 2021 insurrection.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • The tablet threatens to consume the 8-year-old’s every waking moment, leaving no time for making memories with her partners in pretend.
    Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
  • Having things 'go viral' every waking second in order to have everyone 'in your corner' trust or even listen to your artistic vision.
    Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • Hoopes’ gold medal-winning routine marked his first continental title since ascending to the senior ranks.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • Turner came to SpaceX through the military and higher education pipeline before ascending through several senior manufacturing leadership roles at the company, his LinkedIn shows.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • The Battle of the Alamo was one of the most monumental conflicts of the Texas Revolution, a rebellion that ended in Texas becoming independent from Mexico and establishing itself as a republic for nearly a decade before US statehood.
    Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • In the press release for the album, you were quoted using the word rebellion when talking about rock and roll.
    Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • While YouTube’s growth on TV sets keeps accelerating, most other streamers are flat, down, or up only slightly, with YouTube also rolling out new features meant to grow that share further.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2026
  • Still, the Mamdani administration is rolling out a more pleasing set of designs ordered up by Adams.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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