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in an uproar

in an uproar

8 5.3
Very noisy and upset because people are angry or worried
  • idiom
translation icon : en un alboroto
  • The crowd was in an uproar after the controversial decision was announced.
  • get in an uproar
  • whole community in an uproar
  • people in an uproar

Like I feel like I I remember, especially when Kim named North North, the world was in an uproar of like what kind of name is that?

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Examples

  • The court was in an uproar for several minutes.

    Academic text (1994)
  • While The Americans was being prepared for classroom trials in 1968-69, college campuses were in an uproar.

    Academic text (1995)
  • You got the whole network here in an uproar.

  • We're all in an uproar.

  • Why, you had the whole place in an uproar!

  • The place is in an uproar.

  • The audience is in an uproar when the lights go down.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Then, two days ago, the town had been in an uproar.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • I mean, you know, everybody's in an uproar over this.

  • When I reentered our store, the place was in an uproar.

    Fiction book (2000)

Synonyms

up in arms
vsin an uproar
25 6.1

Very angry and protesting about something they think is unfair

is more general, meaning strong agitation or excitement not only protest
in a tizzy
vsin an uproar
  • Informal
4 8.6

Feeling very nervous and confused about something

focuses on stronger general agitation and disturbance instead of nervousness
in a tailspin
vsin an uproar
  • Informal
1 8.2

A sudden state of confusion and panic that makes someone lose control

is broader, meaning general turmoil or high agitation not only sudden panic
stirred up
vsin an uproar
1 4.4

Feeling very upset or excited and restless

is about agitation tied to confusion or disturbance rather than pure emotion
awhirl
vsin an uproar
  • Literature
9.5

Feeling very confused and full of strong emotions

is broader, covering general disturbance rather than only emotional turmoil
in great confusion
vsin an uproar
5.2

With much hurry and disorder

includes high agitation and excitement as well as general disturbance
up on its ear
vsin an uproar
  • Informal
9.8

People or places in confusion and disorder after a big change

focuses more on agitation and excitement rather than physical upheaval
roiled
vsin an uproar
8.4

Angry and upset because something caused trouble

covers general agitation or excited disturbance rather than anger alone

Antonyms

1.0

The arrangement of things in a neat sequence

52 1.0

A quiet, peaceful feeling that helps you stay steady

How Agitated

hysterical
  • Informal
163 3.9
in an uproar
8 5.3
disturbed
37 3.8
agitated
49 4.1
uneasy
98 3.2
calm
735 1.0

Surface Forms

in an uproar positive

Morphology

in + an + uproar

The meaning is transparently composed from 'in' (indicating a state or location) + 'an' + 'uproar' (a noisy disturbance), so 'in an uproar' is directly understood as being in a state of noisy agitation. This preposition + noun pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows standard English composition, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

In an uproar comes from the image of a crowd shouting so loudly that their voices seem to roar up into the air. That's why it now means being 'very noisy, confused, or angry'.