noun
Related Words
See disorder.
Etymology
Origin of uproar
1520–30; < Dutch oproer revolt, tumult, translation of German Aufruhr; sense and spelling influenced by roar
Explanation
Any kind of noisy disturbance can be called an uproar. A large group of political protesters outside City Hall is likely to create an uproar. There's often an uproar in the audience of a rock concert when the band first appears on stage — people cheer and applaud and whistle. An announcement that the neighborhood donut shop is out of donuts could create another kind of uproar, especially if people have been standing in a long line dreaming of crullers and chocolate glazed donuts. Uproar comes from the German Aufruhr, "a stirring up."
Vocabulary lists containing uproar
This Week in Words: October 13 – 20, 2018
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Crash
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Out of My Mind
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For Francie Sorrentino, a class of 1977 Millionaire, the uproar is just another day in Lenox.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026
It was the biggest embarrassment of all time that caused the uproar that it did.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Otherwise, the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz wouldn’t cause such an uproar.
From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026
It marks a sharp escalation in a saga which has sparked uproar in Germany, and the finance ministry in Berlin swifty responded that any "hostile takeover" of the systemically important bank would be "unacceptable."
From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026
There’s an uproar of applause and cheers, especially from the kids from the coalition.
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
