Loud noise, confusion, or angry protest made by a group of people. It can describe both literal noise and strong public reaction.
From German 'Aufruhr' meaning 'tumult, rebellion', literally 'up-roar', borrowed into English in the 1500s. The 'up' adds a sense of intensity and rising disturbance.
Uproar is a great sound-picture word: imagine noise rising up like a wave. When the media says something 'caused an uproar', they’re hinting at both volume and rebellion.
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