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 long-term ramifications of these cuts remain to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Department of Education is facing a period of significant upheaval.
—
Scott White, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, episcopal courts also worked to punish clerical figures involved in the upheaval.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 9 Mar. 2025
Jane was a devout Protestant at a time of religious upheaval, the ultimate innocent victim of the chicanery of the Tudor court in the chaotic aftermath of Henry VIII’s reign.
—Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
The co-founder of Dream Defenders, who is part of a new six-part series, talks about what the documentary means at this time of political upheaval.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
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Scott White, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, episcopal courts also worked to punish clerical figures involved in the upheaval.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 9 Mar. 2025
Jane was a devout Protestant at a time of religious upheaval, the ultimate innocent victim of the chicanery of the Tudor court in the chaotic aftermath of Henry VIII’s reign.
—Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
The co-founder of Dream Defenders, who is part of a new six-part series, talks about what the documentary means at this time of political upheaval.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 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 17 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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