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
Qatanani insists that he was never formally arrested nor notified about being charged with a crime, but rather was among hundreds of Palestinians detained during a 1993 uprising and was subsequently convicted in absentia. — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2026 There were, of course, more people protesting than in 1848, the first modern wave of uprisings, known as the Springtime of the Peoples. — Rachel Nolan, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 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
  • Moving pictures are part of the revolt Asco also had an interest in film.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • His teeth desert his mouth; his digestion revolts; his heart appears frequently to announce its forthcoming resignation.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The travel-retail business is expected to continue rising due to a confluence of other factors, including the 4 to 5 percent yearly increase of travelers.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Super El Niño impact Inflation in India has been rising for 10 straight months, crossing the central bank's medium-term target of 4% in August, even as economic growth has been resilient so far.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Testosterone replacement therapy prescriptions are climbing fast, and the men on them are no longer whispering about it.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Some neighbors captured video showing people climbing from a third-floor window and fleeing the scene.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Amendment is also a constitution’s mechanism for the prevention of insurrection.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • That’s a fitting philosophy for The Unknown, a movie in which another life is not a metaphor but a waking nightmare.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Smoke alarms sounded inside the home, waking the family and giving everyone time to get out safely, Metro Fire said.
    — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Even—perhaps especially—for a Beltway outsider, ascending the American political ladder requires a tremendous amount of glad-handing and personal magnetism, if not charm.
    — Jonathan A. Czin, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Since the creation of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) in 2011, there have been four categories of academies, each requiring an ascending level of investment and support staff.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The creators are describing the title as Inglourious Bastards, Quentin Tarantino’s down in the dirt revisionist World War Two movie, meets V for Vendetta, Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s anti-fascist British tale of rebellion.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • To pair the piece with Celine’s more tailored pieces like the trousers and blouse added a tonal contrast that still executed on its luxury aesthetic, though with a touch of rebellion.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Lauder, which generally focused on a high-luxury brand such as La Mer in the channel, just started rolling out The Ordinary, with an entry price point, to key travel retail partners in the Western Hemisphere.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Lakers teased their new defensive identity in a 127-103 preseason win against the Sacramento Kings on Monday at Golden 1 Center, rolling out their deep group of wings to overcome a shorthanded bench.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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