1
as in quake
a shaking of the earth
the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the election of the socialist candidate caused a political earthquake that nearly led to a military coup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of earthquake
Taiwan’s last major earthquake was in April, a 7.2 magnitude temblor that hit the east coast county of Hualien, killing 13 people.
—
Reuters, NBC News, 21 Jan. 2025
Embers whooshed across the landscape, igniting trees, hedges, and the roofs, decks, and sidings of wooden houses that had been built to survive earthquakes, but never a fire of these proportions.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 18 Jan. 2025
The plan assessed its members $260 million for wildfire and earthquake costs, according to the state Department of Insurance, leading to the establishment in 1996 of the California Earthquake Authority, a not-for-profit that now provides about two thirds of the state’s earthquake coverage.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Although Onagawa was closer to the earthquake’s epicenter and faced an even more powerful tsunami, the reactors there – which were identical in type and age to Fukushima’s and subject to the same regulations – emerged almost unscathed.
—Najmedin Meshkati, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for earthquake 
Reuters, NBC News, 21 Jan. 2025
Embers whooshed across the landscape, igniting trees, hedges, and the roofs, decks, and sidings of wooden houses that had been built to survive earthquakes, but never a fire of these proportions.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 18 Jan. 2025
The plan assessed its members $260 million for wildfire and earthquake costs, according to the state Department of Insurance, leading to the establishment in 1996 of the California Earthquake Authority, a not-for-profit that now provides about two thirds of the state’s earthquake coverage.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Although Onagawa was closer to the earthquake’s epicenter and faced an even more powerful tsunami, the reactors there – which were identical in type and age to Fukushima’s and subject to the same regulations – emerged almost unscathed.
—Najmedin Meshkati, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for earthquake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earthquake
Noun
-
Most quakes occur near to the boundary of these plates, the result of the slow buildup of stress in the crust.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
-
The startling quake in an unexpected area should serve as a wake-up call for businesses, schools and homeowners everywhere to consider having safety protocols for earthquakes, the resident said.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Read: The GoFundMe fires In moments of tragedy or upheaval, not all Angelenos can take their freedom of mobility for granted, in part because of how Southern California infrastructure has developed over the past century.—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Ten years later, the music industry would experience upheaval of its own, with the internet beginning its ascent as the primary source for music consumption, soon cratering sales of recorded music amidst the rise of online file sharing and streaming.—
Jim Ryan,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The second-most-common neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson's disease manifests via such motor problems as impaired balance, slow movement, muscle stiffness and tremors.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Most Popular Most Popular Parkinson’s tremors disappear with use of machine that sends heat waves to the brain Parkinson’s tremors disappear with use of machine that sends heat waves to the brain Chris Perkins: Dolphins weren’t a dumb team in 2024, but . .—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
After a term marked by civil unrest, incompetence, moral and ethical failures, conspiracy theories, extremism, mismanaging COVID, and overseeing Republican losses in the House and the Senate, America was decidedly tired of Trump’s ineptitude and self-destructiveness.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
22 Jan. 2025
-
But unlike when Trump helped spark a mob of his supporters to attack the Capitol and tried to retain power in 2021 after his loss to Democrat Joe Biden, officials are not expecting massive protests, unrest or violence.—
Will Weissert,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Author of 'Swarm Troopers: How small drones will conquer the world,' following cutting-edge military technology in general and the drone warfare revolution in particular.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Its parent company, Ocean Approved, launched this consumer brand in 2019 and is leading a quiet, underwater revolution in American agriculture.—
Heide Brandes,
thehustle.co,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
And create a burnout-free zone at home, where discussion of work is prohibited. VIDEO QUIZ Snowfall records were broken in a number of Gulf Coast states after a winter storm slammed the region.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
-
One account holds that the old Celtic cross was stolen, and then floated back to the island after a storm.—
Leslie Jamison,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near earthquake
Cite this Entry
“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earthquake. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share