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
Synonyms
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 68-page report names the woman identified as Jane Doe, whose allegations about Bickle were made public in October 2023, causing upheaval in the 24/7 global prayer movement and inspiring other women to come forward.
—
Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2025
Despite its cheerful colors, the painting suggests violence and upheaval.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Earnings season ramps up another notch next week to start February, forcing investors to wade through a barrage of quarterly results amid ongoing policy uncertainty that promises upheaval for an already choppy stock market.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025
Formed in 2007 during an era of political upheaval, the group looked to escape to their own figurative island, drawing name inspiration from the Hindu epic of Ramayana, a tale where good triumphs over evil.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2025
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Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2025
Despite its cheerful colors, the painting suggests violence and upheaval.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Earnings season ramps up another notch next week to start February, forcing investors to wade through a barrage of quarterly results amid ongoing policy uncertainty that promises upheaval for an already choppy stock market.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025
Formed in 2007 during an era of political upheaval, the group looked to escape to their own figurative island, drawing name inspiration from the Hindu epic of Ramayana, a tale where good triumphs over evil.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for upheaval
Dictionary Entries Near upheaval
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upheaval. Accessed 8 Feb. 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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