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
In November, a special tribunal on Bangladesh sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for ordering a crackdown on the uprising. ABC News, 24 July 2026 Protesters appear intent on proving that the uprising is authentic and homegrown. Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 23 July 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
  • His position is no different from that of his counterparts in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, other South Asian nations which also faced Gen Z revolts that saw the exit of the existing order.
    Vasuki Shastry, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • The decision led to a revolt by New Hampshire, which has a state law requiring it to hold the first primary, and penalties that kept Biden off the ballot in the state's primary.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • Instead, Omega captured the title at Beach Break in Clearwater, Florida, turning this pay-per-view match into his first title defense against the rising Knight, who is receiving his first world championship main event opportunity.
    Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Braden added that rising costs from the extensive growth in DFW is directly affecting farmers’ ability to grow large amounts of quality crops.
    Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 July 2026
Verb
  • That single habit, repeated across thousands of deals, is the real reason influencer rates keep climbing.
    Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Perhaps more surprising is that the vast majority—70%—were employed, a share that has held steady, meaning co-residency is climbing owing to growth in adults with steady jobs rather than those looking for work.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Noun
  • Writer, historian, and activist Rebecca Solnit is the author of more than twenty-five books on feminism, western and urban history, popular power, social change and insurrection, wandering and walking, hope and catastrophe.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The 14th Amendment’s foundational principles include birthright citizenship, due process, equal protection under the law, and the prohibition for heads of state to engage in acts of insurrection.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • Other bright-light studies have measured roughly 20% to 40% higher peak cortisol in the first hour after waking when people were exposed to bright morning light versus dim conditions.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026
  • The real red flag, Walker says, is persistently waking unrefreshed, even after a full night in bed.
    Gavin Escott, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • The Curiosity rover stumbled on the polygon field while ascending the foothills of a three-mile-high mountain called Mount Sharp, where it’s been roaming since 2014.
    Frank Landymore, Futurism, 30 July 2026
  • And Kingsley is a bad, bad man, using his boxing business as a front for an ascending drug empire run out of London.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • In reality, the big debate has been about questions such as whether military bases should be named for traitors and whether governments should host monuments to a rebellion to defend slavery.
    David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
  • Songwriting happened naturally as a rebellion to learning certain chords.
    Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • However, Meta needs ample compute capacity to satisfy its own AI ambitions, especially as the company begins aggressively rolling out new models under the leadership of AI chief Alexandr Wang.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 July 2026
  • Josh Allen, arguably the NFL's best player, is a company man and great teammate for the Buffalo Bills, but Wednesday's defense of the indefensible new uniforms the team is rolling out in the coming NFL season was too much.
    Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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