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
Social Security Administration leadership upheaval The Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, is not a federal department.
—
Lorie Konish, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2025
Of course, the underlying conditions that created a seismic social upheaval to which those individuals and institutions are responding did not materialize overnight.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 27 Feb. 2025
But, this season has been dominated by injuries and roster upheaval.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2025
O'Donnell's departure follows significant upheaval at the IRS, including the layoff of roughly 7,000 probationary employees, mostly in compliance roles.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
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Lorie Konish, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2025
Of course, the underlying conditions that created a seismic social upheaval to which those individuals and institutions are responding did not materialize overnight.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 27 Feb. 2025
But, this season has been dominated by injuries and roster upheaval.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2025
O'Donnell's departure follows significant upheaval at the IRS, including the layoff of roughly 7,000 probationary employees, mostly in compliance roles.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 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 16 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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