uprising

noun

up·​ris·​ing ˈəp-ˌrī-ziŋ 

: an act or instance of rising up

especially : a usually localized act of popular violence in defiance usually of an established government

Synonyms

• insurgence
• insurgency
• insurrection
• mutiny
• outbreak
• rebellion
• revolt
• revolution
• rising

Choose the Right Synonym for uprising

rebellion, revolution, uprising, revolt, insurrection, mutiny mean an outbreak against authority.

rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

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

mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

Examples of uprising in a Sentence

The government quickly put down the uprising.

the uprising was quickly and brutally suppressed

Recent Examples on the Web

Editors’ Picks Orangutan, Heal Thyself Even before the war, analysts and activists have said, Bahrain had been on edge because of friction between the government and opposition movements that has persisted since the pro-democracy uprising was put down. —Vivian Nereim, New York Times, 5 May 2024

David Ellison’s Skydance explores possible merger with Paramount through National Amusements Jan. 10, 2024 The investor uprising caused Paramount shares to plummet and prompted several of the company’s directors to step down. —Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

uprising

noun

up·​ris·​ing ˈəp-ˌrī-ziŋ 

: an act or instance of rising up