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
During the interview, Robinson claimed an uprising is underway in Australia and declared his admiration for Hanson, while Stefanovic complimented Robinson’s tenacity and suggested some of Hanson’s ideas were gaining traction with mainstream voters. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 June 2026 The first-ever Pride parade marched through Chicago on June 27, 1970, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 26 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
  • The Declaration of Independence, often perceived as a tax revolt, explicitly mentions taxes only once among its 27 grievances, dedicating just eight words to the issue.
    Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Soon, this kind of spirit will carry the 13 colonies to protest, revolt and win the American Revolution.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • And each time another first-time climber reaches the top, the applause rising from the rocks below suggests that, little by little, that community is growing.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • Practices are seeing rising amputations, and hospitalizations are surging.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Cecelia Kale was climbing a tree in her front yard in Tigerton on June 23 when a bat latched onto her leg, according to her family.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Cooling your feet brings down overall body temperature, so chill a pair of socks in the fridge during the day and slip them on before climbing into bed.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • The pair took a big swing in 2022 around the first anniversary of the Capitol insurrection on January 6.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
  • The violence, described as a failed insurrection by President Cyril Ramaphosa, vandalized more than 160 shopping malls, led to tens of thousands of job losses, and cost the economy roughly $3 billion.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Beyond the huge gym windows, Maharashtra is waking to another green-gold morning of bulbul birdsong and mooching mongooses.
    Horatio Clare, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026
  • Facial puffiness on waking happens because lymph flow slows overnight when the body is horizontal and still, letting fluid pool in the face.
    Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Maxey has also become one of the NBA’s best guards, and Edgecombe is still ascending.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • An autopsy later determined the cause of Grant’s shocking death, at just 49 years old, to be a ruptured ascending aortic aneurysm.
    Sam McDowell July 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Amid a rebellion over the SAVE Act, Johnson lost control of the House floor for a second time this week, sending lawmakers home early for the July Fourth recess.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • These battles have completely receded from the American imagination, even though, in some ways, the American rebellion was a sideshow to a far greater imperial drama.
    Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Statusphere is leaning into the momentum, rolling out tools that let brands activate Pinterest creators at scale and repurpose high-performing TikTok and Instagram posts for Pinterest’s 619 million monthly users.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
  • While YouTube’s growth on TV sets keeps accelerating, most other streamers are flat, down, or up only slightly, with YouTube also rolling out new features meant to grow that share further.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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