UPRISING Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

uprising 1 of 2

noun

ˈəp-ˌrī-ziŋ

Definition of uprising next

as in revolt

open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the uprising was quickly and brutally suppressed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

uprising

2 of 2

verb

present participle of uprise

as in rising

to leave one's bed uprise! we have lots of work to do today!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in climbing

to move or extend upward as we went from the coast into the state's interior, the land gradually began uprising and eventually we were on mountainous terrain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Arab Spring uprisings reached Syria in 2011 and blazed up into civil war. —

Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026 Since the uprising that toppled Gadhafi, Libya plunged into chaos during which the oil-rich North African country split, with rival administrations now in the east and west, backed by various armed groups and foreign governments. —

Yousef Murad, Los Angeles Times, 6 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

Continue reading … THINK AGAIN — New 'microgeneration' of students revolts against 'cringy' campus wokeness.

— , FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Outlets including the Wrap and Hollywood Reporter have reported that top agents including Duffy McSwiggin and Marty Diamond, who represent Joni Mitchell and Coldplay, among others, have led a staff revolt demanding Wasserman leave or sell the firm.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of revolt

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uprises

uprising

uprisings

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“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 15 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of uprising

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