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
Before the Stonewall uprising, LGBTQ+ people had few legal protections and often faced discrimination that was accepted by society. Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 An uprising that left inmates in control of a detention center has ended with some people injured, North Carolina officials say. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 29 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
  • The people ended up burning down the house of one of the tax collectors, prompting President George Washington to raise the first federal army against them and quickly quell the revolt.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • At once pugnaciously combative and unreservedly sentimental, Landon chose to take the series out with a commentary on class revolt.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • And each time another first-time climber reaches the top, the applause rising from the rocks below suggests that, little by little, that community is growing.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • Practices are seeing rising amputations, and hospitalizations are surging.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Demand is climbing, with Electron flying a record 21 missions in 2025 at 100% success, up from 16 the year before.
    Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • Park in shade when possible, use a windshield sunshade, and when climbing back into a hot car, turn the air conditioning on with recirculation off.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • The pair took a big swing in 2022 around the first anniversary of the Capitol insurrection on January 6.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
  • The violence, described as a failed insurrection by President Cyril Ramaphosa, vandalized more than 160 shopping malls, led to tens of thousands of job losses, and cost the economy roughly $3 billion.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • An early 2022 op-ed in the University of Calgary’s student newspaper described the idea as the antithesis of hustle culture, one that finds satisfaction in mundane tasks rather than cramming productivity into every waking moment.
    Allison Palmer July 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026
  • After spending nearly every waking moment together in the villa, they are expected to return to their normal lives, Corbin to Miami and Parmida to San Antonio, which could pose new challenges for their romance.
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • Maxey has also become one of the NBA’s best guards, and Edgecombe is still ascending.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • An autopsy later determined the cause of Grant’s shocking death, at just 49 years old, to be a ruptured ascending aortic aneurysm.
    Sam McDowell July 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Amid a rebellion over the SAVE Act, Johnson lost control of the House floor for a second time this week, sending lawmakers home early for the July Fourth recess.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • These battles have completely receded from the American imagination, even though, in some ways, the American rebellion was a sideshow to a far greater imperial drama.
    Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) started rolling out its 2026 selection this week with the announcement of Siân Heder’s Being Heumann as the opening film and world premieres for Prima Facie and The Assassin(s).
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026
  • South Africa is considering rolling out tax cuts to revive its struggling industrial hubs, in line with a World Bank recommendation to help reverse a long-term manufacturing slump and unlock billions in idle corporate cash.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 8 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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