upheaval
noun
up·heav·al
ˌəp-ˈhē-vəl 
(ˌ)ə-ˈpē-
1
: the action or an instance of upheaving especially of part of the earth's crust
2
: extreme agitation or disorder : radical change
also
: an instance of this
Examples of upheaval in a Sentence
The civil rights movement marked a period of social upheaval in the U.S.
the emotional upheaval of divorce
a period of cultural and social upheavals
The island was created by an upheaval of the ocean floor.
The lake was formed by geologic upheaval.
Recent Examples on the Web
The New York Yankees' season has been over for more than a week, which means 40-man roster upheaval could soon begin.
—
Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Despite all odds—geopolitical strife and upheaval, an economic instability and rising inflation—shoppers are still spending.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
Luckily for Americans whose heads are still spinning from COVID vaccine upheaval, flu shot recommendations are largely unchanged.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Details in geomyths can shed light on how and when great geological upheavals occurred around the globe, and how humans responded to them.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
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Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Despite all odds—geopolitical strife and upheaval, an economic instability and rising inflation—shoppers are still spending.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
Luckily for Americans whose heads are still spinning from COVID vaccine upheaval, flu shot recommendations are largely unchanged.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Details in geomyths can shed light on how and when great geological upheavals occurred around the globe, and how humans responded to them.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upheaval. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upheaval
noun
up·heav·al
ˌəp-ˈhē-vəl
(ˌ)ə-ˈpē-
1
: the action or an instance of heaving or lifting up from beneath especially of part of the earth's crust
2
: an instance of violent disorder or change
emotional upheaval
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