uproar

noun

up·​roar ˈəp-ˌrȯr How to pronounce uproar (audio)
: a state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance

Examples of uproar in a Sentence

There was a lot of public uproar over the proposed jail. There have been uproars in the past over similar proposals. The proposal caused an uproar. The town was in an uproar over the proposal to build a jail.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Xue Ke does indeed discover the little maid she’s grown fond of is her daughter, and after several more episodes, this secret is found out by everyone in her household, causing an uproar. Karissa Chen, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025 But it was significantly pared back after a massive uproar that extended from St. Augustine to the Beach and Key West. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025 Last week’s days of action on beneficiary programs were usurped by Abrego Garcia’s deportation, which caused an uproar in Democratic circles. Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2025 The response sparked an uproar among Canadian Jewish organizations, such as the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), which tweeted an objection to Carney’s comments. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uproar

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from Dutch oproer, from Middle Dutch, from op up (akin to Old English ūp) + roer motion; akin to Old English hrēran to stir

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of uproar was in 1526

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uproar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uproar. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

uproar

noun
up·​roar ˈəp-ˌrō(ə)r How to pronounce uproar (audio)
-ˌrȯ(ə)r
: a state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance
Etymology

from Dutch oproer "revolt, uprising," from op "up" and roer "motion"; the English spelling and meaning influenced by the similarity of the English roar to Dutch roer

Word Origin
The -roar part of the word uproar has no connection with the sounds made by some animals and crowds. The first use of uproar was as the translation of the Dutch word oproer, meaning "uprising, rebellion, revolt." Thus, the first meaning of uproar was the same as the Dutch meaning of oproer. Nowadays, this sense of uproar is no longer used. Because people thought that the roar of uproar referred to loud cries and sounds, they began to use the word to mean "a noisy disturbance or commotion." This is the sense of uproar that has survived.

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