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

Relevance

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
The military was brought in to stop the uprising and the conflict evolved into a separatist insurgency. Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026 One example might be the inconvenience caused by a mass political uprising, one that risks the security, safety, and comfort of its participants. Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 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
  • Internal revolt The clash over Russia and Israel has exposed a divide between the Biennale’s board and members of the international jury, a rotating cast of art world figures which awards the fair’s top prizes.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
  • The fiercest tax revolts are brewing at the local level.
    Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That’s why David Gallo’s setting, a vista of a fragile boarding house nearly consumed by the rising, sun-blotting, industrial landscape of Pittsburgh, works so effectively here.
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
  • After a faulty cooling system was left to disrepair, rising temperatures resulted in an explosion with the equivalent force of 70-100 tons of TNT.
    Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Archer-Daniels-Midland, the 125-year-old agricultural processor and food ingredient provider, has been climbing quietly and steadily the past 12 months.
    Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 1 May 2026
  • Becerra quickly began climbing in the polls, and is now one of the leading candidates.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • In England chaos reaches its zenith when a Kentishman named Jack Cade, encouraged by York (who has been sent to put down a revolt in Ireland), mounts an insurrection that plays havoc in the streets of London.
    Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Four years later, her law firm helped defend against challenges to Trump’s eligibility for the ballot because of his role in encouraging the insurrection of January 6, 2021.
    Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That distinction matters for anyone whose main frustration is waking in the night rather than struggling to fall asleep in the first place.
    Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
  • These tough shrubs provide a valuable food source for early waking pollinators.
    Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This was the exact skill set the Chargers were missing in a young, ascending receiver room that includes Ladd McConkey, Tre’ Harris and Quentin Johnston.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The film's producer-star, 50, could be seen on Friday, April 24, ascending the vertical structure with a full set of climbing gear.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • What was expected to be a quick vote turned into an hourslong saga as some House Republicans launched a rebellion over an issue with an unrelated farm bill.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The leader of the rebellion chatted with young kids carrying Princess Leia dolls and wearing Boba Fett masks.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Japan Airlines is going to start rolling out its humanoid robots to help with baggage at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The service is rolling out next month in Tampa, Dallas, Phoenix and Chicago, with more cities to come.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uprising. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on uprising

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster