also: むくと · むっくと
adverb
abruptly rising; popping up suddenly
Describes a sudden, quick motion of rising or getting up, often with a sense of surprise or energy. Common in manga and casual speech.
猫がむくっと起き上がった。
The cat abruptly got up.
彼はむくっと立ち上がって、部屋を出て行った。
He suddenly stood up and left the room.
adverb
slowly rising; heaving up
Original meaning; describes a slow, ponderous rising motion, like something heavy being lifted. Now less common than the abrupt sense.
大きな岩がむくっと動いたように見えた。
The huge rock seemed to move slowly upward.
Describes a sudden, rough rising or jumping up, often with more energy and noise than むくっと.
Onomatopoeic word mimicking the sound or motion of something rising. The geminated form むくっと is the most common modern variant. The exact origin is uncertain.