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

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
Her tenure coincided with the height of the peace process and the outbreak of the second Palestinian uprising, or intifada, in 2000. ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026 But to head off another mass uprising, the Islamic Republic's leadership knows the best option would be to get sanctions lifted so Iranians can afford food and fuel again. Mariia Kashchenko, CBS News, 17 Feb. 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 Nepali Congress has remained a popular party, but was part of the last coalition government that was forced out by a youth revolt in September.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The employee revolt forced Google to pull out of a bid to renew its contract to work on the project.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • With concerns rising about lagging childhood literacy rates across the country, Nationwide Children's Hospital has begun screening children's literacy skills starting at age 3 during pediatrician visits.
    MAKIYA SEMINERA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Videos geolocated and verified by CNN show a large fire at a residential high-rise building in Bahrain’s capital Manama on Saturday and smoke rising from the vicinity of the Crowne Plaza hotel in the city on Sunday.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Rarely is picnicking so decadent or – after climbing the equivalent of 100 floors or more – so gratefully received.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Meanwhile, stocks with less exposure to AI are climbing higher.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • But the regime, besieged by insurrections across the country, abandoned Manbij.
    Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon ruled Yoon’s deployment of troops to parliament and attempt to arrest political opponents, including current President Lee Jae Myung, who was then head of the opposition, were acts of insurrection.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Instead, members devoted every waking breath to restoring Sharia and, by doing so, heralding a new era of blind and impartial justice.
    Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Players spend all of their waking moments in the trenches with the coaches.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Now, bids to the Sweet 16 are becoming routine for the ascending program.
    Myah Taylor, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Canales took a brief break from scouting prospects at Lucas Oil Stadium to attend the first half of the Hornets’ victory over the Pacers, showing support for Lee and his ascending squad, a Panthers spokesperson told The Charlotte Observer.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements can be seen as, at least partially, a brief rebellion against this culture of elite impunity.
    Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Season two of Robin Hood expands the world beyond Sherwood and Nottingham into the treacherous courts of England, France, and Rome, transforming the outlaw rebellion into a high stakes battle for the soul of a kingdom.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Zimbabwe has begun rolling out lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention drug administered twice a year.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Zimbabwe has begun rolling out lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention drug administered twice a year.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

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