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
In the early days of the Syrian uprising, Daham Alasaad was working as a tour guide in his native Palmyra, leading a group through the ruins of the ancient city. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026 On a mission to save a beloved patch of nature from a construction project in the fictional town of Beaverton, the beaver-bodied Mabel inadvertently sparks an uprising among the animals that live there. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 8 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
  • Jacir’s absorbing film takes place during the 1936–39 Arab revolt, which was a response to British rule and the colonial authority’s partnership with newly arriving Jewish refugees from Europe.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Amidst an anti-colonial revolt, and with Jewish refugees fleeing persecution from Europe, all sides converge in a decisive moment for the entire region.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • After a hot start to the weekend, temperatures are expected to continue rising in North Texas, bringing a little bit of summer into spring.
    Suryatapa Chakraborty, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The world’s happiest countries for 2026, what travelers can expect in terms of rising air fares, plus United Airlines cracks down on noisy passengers.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Nighttime temperatures are forecast to bottom out near 67 degrees with wind gusts climbing as high as 20 mph.
    Suryatapa Chakraborty, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • This will set the stage for a pretty nice weekend with highs climbing into the 60s again on Saturday.
    Bill Kelly, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The film presents boosting as an act of insurrection from the street up.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
  • There was also a plan to encourage an insurrection in early 2023.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Slumbering through a global spectacle like the Oscars inevitably means waking to a deluge of news reports, videos, and pictures from the ceremony and its fringes.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
  • This process rehydrates the corms, waking them up from dormancy and encouraging them to sprout.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 13 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
  • Burlington Central’s Mackenzie Lorkowski traced the roots of her career to a small act of rebellion.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
  • As Fisk's anti-vigilante task force abducts dissidents off the street, locking them away in an undisclosed warehouse full of cages, Daredevil (Charlie Cox) becomes a symbol of rebellion for those willing to fight back.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As Hong Kong FilMart and the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum get underway, Taiwan is rolling out a lineup of film and television projects led by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), highlighting the territory’s growing ambitions in international co-production and global distribution.
    Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Big Easy is just rolling out nationally now, so check your local liquor stores in the coming weeks to find a bottle.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.

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