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
Michael Jordan wears No. 45 in return to the Bulls
For LaVine, the last few weeks of upheaval have offered perspective.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
During his decades-long career in finance, Carney steered governments through major global crises and periods of upheaval.
—Max Saltman, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
The Wave went through rare upheaval last season and this past offseason, so the full reboot might serve them well.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Despite the upheaval, early tax filers are seeing a steady stream of refunds hitting their bank accounts and mailboxes, Susan Tompor reports.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
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Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
During his decades-long career in finance, Carney steered governments through major global crises and periods of upheaval.
—Max Saltman, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
The Wave went through rare upheaval last season and this past offseason, so the full reboot might serve them well.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Despite the upheaval, early tax filers are seeing a steady stream of refunds hitting their bank accounts and mailboxes, Susan Tompor reports.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 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 Mar. 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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