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

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
But Trump-style regime change is unlikely to be the democratic uprising that many Cuban exiles have longed for. Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026 Another cousin was shot dead protesting recently — his second such relative to be killed in uprisings there. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 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
  • Any deal almost certainly needs to involve a compromise as lawmakers on the left and right flanks revolt.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Any deal will almost certainly need to involve a compromise as lawmakers on the left and right flanks revolt.
    Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Tensions are rising nationally as the military operation in Iran continues and ICE officers appear in airports.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Carr acknowledged the rising cost and sometimes inconvenient nature of sports streaming are frustrating fans, arguing the drawbacks ultimately outweigh the benefits.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And Friday’s loss pushed the Heat even further away from climbing out of the play-in tournament.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The increase has been highest among Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans, climbing to 30% for those groups compared to 16% for White Americans.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • There were rebellions, insurrections and an Appian Way lined with crucifixions.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Meanwhile, a separate insurrection led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, a Marxist political party, tore through the southern part of the country in the late 1980s, killing tens of thousands of people.
    Eranda Jayawickreme, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The patterns displayed during active sleep often resemble those seen during waking behaviors, supporting the idea that the brain may be reactivating prior experiences.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
  • An ominous, inexplicable sound that floods dread into your every waking step, and that will eventually drive you to suicide or murder?
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Walt Disney Company’s CEO transition is notable not just for who is ascending, but for how deliberately the company built financial stability around it by extending CFO Hugh Johnston’s contract months before a new CEO was even named.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
  • For the past three seasons, Carlsbad High School has been ascending the ranks of girls lacrosse.
    Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Resistance, rebellion and retribution all come out to play in one of Disney+’s most consistent series that’s unafraid to put its larger-than-life characters into the maw of Venus fly trap-like set of moral and ethical issues.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • In the era of AI, the notion of learning something for yourself is a quiet, internal act of rebellion against a world that seems to be flowing in the wrong direction.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • One large health insurer is even rolling out the benefit for members nationwide, signaling a dramatic change in how doulas interact with the healthcare system and who can access them.
    Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Early hurricane season forecasts have begun rolling out and will continue over the next several weeks, with the June 1 start to the season in the Atlantic just 68 days away.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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