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

The group gathered at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, which is next door to the Stonewall Inn and was part of the iconic bar during the 1969 Stonewall uprising. —Jillian Eugenios, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024

More than 700 people were killed during the uprising by police, according to the United Nations. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2024

These would probably not be the type of people to participate in a violent uprising on a cold January afternoon, at least not one protesting the certification of a presidential election. —Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2024

In one particularly bad uprising, Frank with his wife, Teresa (Kathryn Hunter), and Julia and her baby go into hiding in an underground train with plush seats. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Sep. 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