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 book actually came about because of a big social uprising. AFAR Media, 11 May 2026 Riboua painted a slightly more dire picture of the juntas, arguing that the combination of ethnic uprisings and JNIM’s strategic approach has turned the threat to the three countries existential. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 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
  • After the fallout over the Epstein files’ revelations on Mandelson, Rayner led a lawmakers’ revolt to force the government to cede control to Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee to decide which documents should be released into the public domain.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 May 2026
  • Trump is facing something of a revolt at home.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to below forty per cent, the Iran war grinds on, and gas prices have been rising, as has inflation.
    Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • This rising use of AI has principally been spurred by the evolving advances and widespread adoption of generative AI.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • Just ask Panthers guard Robert Hunt, who has stories about Eagles fans climbing onto opposing team buses and wreaking havoc.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
  • However, the young Italian appeared to go over his limit by attempting to match Vingegaard, quickly becoming gapped after just a kilometre of climbing together.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Trump then referred to his $5 billion lawsuit against the BBC, over edits made in a 2024 documentary on the January 6 insurrection.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 May 2026
  • But for those less familiar—say, a teenager who was just 10 when the January 6 insurrection happened—the museum does not guide.
    Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • And so there have been no occasions when your security detail had difficulty waking or locating you.
    NBC news, NBC news, 17 May 2026
  • Some of the Richins' children described waking in fear the day their father died and being mistreated by Kouri Richins in statements read by their counselors.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Shadows and light, inside Wallace Chan's Mythos exhibition Visitors encounter shifting perspectives of the sculptures while ascending the tower’s circular staircase.
    Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
  • Before resurfacing, the divers must stay in shallow water to decompress after ascending from the cave’s depths.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • The rebellion stems from Labor’s heavy losses in local elections last week and widespread party frustration over Starmer’s leadership, stagnant economic growth and failure to deliver on campaign promises.
    Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
  • On the internet, masculinism is presented as a rebellion—a transgressive middle finger to the liberal establishment, expressed in all the words a corporate HR department would order you not to say.
    Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • This change is rolling out today globally.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2026
  • Slurpee truck sweepstakes hits the road The company is also rolling out a nationwide sweepstakes centered around its Slurpee truck experience.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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