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
That year, Indian soldiers serving the British East India Company rebelled against the British commanding officers, killing many of them and sparking an uprising that spread rapidly across much of northern India. Aishwarya Lakshmi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026 Al-Assir gained support in southern Lebanon for his vocal criticism of the powerful Shiite militant Hezbollah group’s involvement in Syria’s uprising that turned into civil war. ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
Hasina blames uprising on 'coordinated assault' Instead, Hasina on Wednesday blamed the violence on the protesters. Shamim Chowdhury, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026 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 experiences span the years leading up to and after the revolt of 1857.
    Aishwarya Lakshmi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Democratic primaries have been shaped by a progressive revolt against the party establishment.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Global demand has also shrunk significantly with rising prices, helping to balance the oil market and get oil to the customers who need it.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • First, rising yields due to better nominal economic growth are typically tolerated more readily, since nominal GDP growth is a primary driver of corporate profits.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Another shows someone climbing into a helicopter, stepping from a roof terrace, onto the landing gear and then into the cockpit, after appearing to take off their t-shirt to wave and attract the aircraft’s attention.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Summer has been scorching across California, with temperatures climbing as high as 110 degrees in some parts of the state.
    Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • As Port falls in with a group of conspirators preparing for the insurrection, the book takes on a hallucinatory, digressive quality, blurring the lines between life and death, reality and illusion.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Stephen Colbert’s award-winning Late Show was canceled in a move that many have labeled political appeasement, and the flagship evening newscast baselessly recast the January 6 insurrection as a partisan squabble.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Ensemble sitcoms live and die by their chemistry, so the cast — encouraged by Kronengold and Shaw — spend almost every waking moment together while filming.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
  • There are few things more frustrating than waking in the middle of the night feeling hot, sticky and uncomfortable.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • An ascending coach on one side in Texas A&M’s Mike Elko and a one fighting a tough narrative in USC’s Lincoln Riley.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • However, power-hitting prospect Andrew Fischer, a 2025 first-round pick, is rapidly ascending.
    Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The second book, Shift, consists of alternating flashback sequences, telling both the origin story of the silos and tales from past rebellions.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
  • After a prolonged siege and fighting, the British recaptured Delhi and brutally suppressed the rebellion.
    Aishwarya Lakshmi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • With Anthropic and OpenAI rolling out a dizzying number of artificial intelligence models and services for businesses, concerns grew about the sustainability of traditional software.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Uber is rolling out a live video feature that allows parents and guardians to view their teen’s ride in real time.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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