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
While Spielberg thinks such an event would bring the world together, Koepp believes there could be mass uprisings against scientists, government officials or even religious leaders who kept this information hidden. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 June 2026 On Sunday morning, the day’s Pride celebrations will kick off with the annual Pride March, a demonstration inspired by the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 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
  • Somewhere between the airport and the hotel, your gut stages a revolt.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
  • Reports of a Republican congressional revolt — like Mark Twain once famously said of a false newspaper report of his death — are greatly exaggerated.
    Carl P. Leubsdorf, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Condos have been hit hard by rising costs associated with ownership, such as HOA dues and homeowners insurance.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 13 June 2026
  • The West Coast is also bracing for rising temperatures, with highs climbing to 10 to 25 degrees above normal this weekend.
    Christine Rapp, NBC news, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • There were reckless acts such as climbing on moving and parked vehicles and vandalism like trashing a yellow cab.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
  • Travel costs keep climbing in 2026, and a wellness retreat at home is becoming the smarter way to reset without spending thousands on flights and resort stays.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • And Washington, of course, had nothing to do with instigating or inciting the insurrection.
    New York Times, New York Times, 11 June 2026
  • Animals serve as allies, guides, objects of cruelty and aggression, and as striking metaphors for power, imperialism, and insurrection.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Sleep talking preserves the architecture of waking language.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
  • Avoid your phone for the first hour after waking.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Seek roles in the ascending 30%—organizations centered on genuine customer value, where AI multiplies human potential.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, Roberts was initially hired as a national scout before ascending to the assistant director of college scouting position in 2022.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • The property tax rebellion is part of a broader push on both the right and left to give tax exemptions to seniors, workers who rely on tips, and the bottom 50% of the country to address cost-of-living pressures.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
  • House Democrats are betting that a future Speaker Hakeem Jeffries wouldn’t struggle with the type of aisle-crossing rebellion that’s often vexed current Speaker Mike Johnson.
    Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • The British actor has been steadily rolling out hit after hit of looks across the press tour for his sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day, buoyed by all the colors and louche shapes summer has to offer—plus a new assist from the celebrity stylist.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 17 June 2026
  • Chick-fil-A also continues to pioneer for the sake of their customers, offering a new side option for kids and rolling out an all-ages taste of old-fashioned nostalgia to beat the heat this summer.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 17 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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