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
The group’s rise echoes a trend across South Asia of youth movements born out of social media playing a central role in anti-government protests, including uprisings in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and unrest in Nepal. ABC News, 5 June 2026 Netizens were taken aback by the violence on display, joking about an imminent robot uprising. Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 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
  • Many leaders would have resisted such a revolt.
    Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
  • There were more than 50 days of popular revolt, which were met with considerable police violence, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.
    Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • This year’s rodeo, held on August 7 and 8, is moving to the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee to accommodate rising attendance.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • Early arrivals bring rising excitement While airports have not yet seen the largest crowds expected for the tournament, excitement is already building among fans who have arrived early.
    Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Nneka Ogwumike posted 20 points and 11 rebounds, passing franchise icon Lisa Leslie for most field goals in Sparks history and climbing to sixth on the WNBA’s all-time rebounding list.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
  • The sculpture, built as part of Kansas City’s annual Parade of Hearts, was made to be nearly indestructible — safe from children dangling from the bee’s antennas or climbing on the structure.
    Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • On the first day of his second term, Trump granted blanket clemency to nearly all individuals convicted of or charged with offenses related to the insurrection.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 June 2026
  • Prosecutors also revealed private messages to from Tarrio to senior leaders of the Proud Boys taking credit for the insurrection.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Over the course of a week, that adds up to a whole waking day that, presto change-o, returns to American mothers in the summer.
    Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
  • From a very early age, he’s been subjected to tremendous pressure and commitments that would make most adults cry, all while living in a world that exposes him to the masses nearly every waking second.
    Jerry Perez, The Drive, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • In any other year, Radcliffe would be ascending to the podium, and deservedly so.
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 7 June 2026
  • In any other year, Radcliffe would be ascending to the podium, and deservedly so.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • View gallery - 5 images There's a rebellion underway against the always-on, infinitely-scrollable nature of the smartphone.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 June 2026
  • Within weeks, the new hypernationalist government mounted an effort to suppress the Russian language in the Donbas, provoking a rebellion among ethnically Russian Ukrainians.
    Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • That can buy public health experts more time to start isolating sick people, administering vaccines and rolling out treatments—ultimately saving lives.
    Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 10 June 2026
  • Starting June 15, Chase is rolling out a major refresh of its most popular travel card, with almost every change an upgrade, minus one notable exception.
    Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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