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
From 1896 to 1897, the region experienced what would come to be known as the First Chimurenga, a period of uprisings by the Indigenous Ndebele and Shona people against colonial policies. — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026 Following the Irish uprising against England in 1917, the British retaliation sees Winston Churchill dispatch a brutal police force to Ireland that attacks civilians and ends with Cork City burned. — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
Hasina blames uprising on 'coordinated assault' Instead, Hasina on Wednesday blamed the violence on the protesters. — Shamim Chowdhury, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026 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
  • But this goes to Marianna's point about the revolt against incumbents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Or will there be a popular revolt, similar to the backlash that has led local governments to abandon other types of surveillance cameras?
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Noah Seelam | Afp | Getty Images Fund outflows and a rising energy bill are expected to keep putting pressure on India's rupee, even as the central bank works to slow depreciation.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • John Fogerty, rising singer-songwriter Emma Ogier, and others are slated to open on select dates.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Bills and costs keep climbing, and households are being forced to stretch budgets that were already tight.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The initial shock of this freak accident is well-handled, notably when Jay tries to scramble up the whale’s jawline by climbing its teeth.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The film argues that those foundational principles — along with the amendment’s prohibition against those who engage in insurrection serving as heads of state — have come under unprecedented pressure in recent years.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Amendment is also a constitution’s mechanism for the prevention of insurrection.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • That’s a fitting philosophy for The Unknown, a movie in which another life is not a metaphor but a waking nightmare.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Smoke alarms sounded inside the home, waking the family and giving everyone time to get out safely, Metro Fire said.
    — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • There’s All-WNBA guard Allisha Gray’s quest for a title and Golden State’s Gabby Williams’ ascending stardom.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Peter Nagy, an artist who became a star of the East Village in 1980s New York before ascending as one of India’s leading art dealers in the 1990s, has died at 67.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • At this point, my rebellion had evolved to become more than just a quiet resistance.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In such trivial moments of rebellion, the seeds of resistance are sown.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • NBCUniversal‘s Peacock is rolling out up a new way to try to get Bravo fanatics even more engaged in the network’s galaxy of reality programming drama and dish-worthy moments.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Ternus, a product engineering savant, has been establishing himself by rolling out new devices meant to cement Apple’s hardware supremacy, most notably the company’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, which Ternus unveiled in September.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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