as in unrest
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the government can no longer control the social upheaval brought about by the collapse of the country's economy
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of upheaval
The first quarter of this year saw geopolitical upheaval of a different sort, as investors have struggled to digest the series of major U.S. policy changes since Inauguration Day.
—
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 31 Mar. 2025
Over the decades, independent historians and ordinary people in China have at times managed to publicly criticize some of the party’s actions—even major upheavals such as the Cultural Revolution—without facing reprisal.
—Ian Johnson, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
The process can be fraught with anxiety, insecurity and emotional upheaval for all involved, beyond the person going through it.
—Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
The trial — part of a broader upheaval over the prevalence of forgeries in the worlds of art and antiques — is slated to continue into next month.
—Ephrat Livni, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 31 Mar. 2025
Over the decades, independent historians and ordinary people in China have at times managed to publicly criticize some of the party’s actions—even major upheavals such as the Cultural Revolution—without facing reprisal.
—Ian Johnson, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
The process can be fraught with anxiety, insecurity and emotional upheaval for all involved, beyond the person going through it.
—Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
The trial — part of a broader upheaval over the prevalence of forgeries in the worlds of art and antiques — is slated to continue into next month.
—Ephrat Livni, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheaval
Noun
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Geopolitical unrest: Will global conflicts reshape your supply chain?—
Guy Courtin,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Haiti has for several years been under a Level 4 Do Not Travel warning from the U.S. State Department, citing kidnappings, crime, civil unrest and limited healthcare.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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From climate leadership and architectural innovation to culinary revolutions and cinematic exports, Danish values are increasingly resonating worldwide.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Political thriller The Translator (2020) explored the early days of the revolution and the decades of oppression that preceded it, through the tale of a political refugee living in Australia who returns to Syria in search of his brother after he is arrested by the authorities for protesting.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Nearly 100 earthquake victims were already waiting for surgery when the team arrived.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Known as museum mounting wax, the product comes in a solid block and acts as an adhesive for small objects, preventing them from toppling off their display stands due to an earthquake or accidental bump from kids, pets, or partygoers.—
Carol Kino,
Robb Report,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But past Democratic and Republican presidents have used their parole authorities to allow people from countries in turmoil to come to the United States, including Soviet and Vietnamese citizens.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2025
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More: Latest twist in tariff turmoil: China cuts off flow of critical minerals.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Listen to this article Nearly a year after record heat and surging electric bills sparked a ratepayer revolt, the legislature is set to take up a bill that could cut hundreds of millions of dollars from customer rates by restructuring how the state buys energy and how customers pay for it.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2025
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The longtime leader of the latter group, George Gresham, is said to personally support endorsing Mr. Cuomo but is facing a broader revolt within his union.—
Nicholas Fandos,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Yet the movement was deeply involved in a dramatic example of recent political violence: the January 6 insurrection, during which four people died and more than 100 police officers were injured.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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One of his first acts as president was to pardon those responsible for the Jan. 6 insurrection.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Alaa Abd El-Fattah was a leading activist in the country’s 2011 uprising.—
Mounira Elsamra,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2025
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Many of the demonstrators in this 1852 uprising in Guovdageaidnu (a city known to Norwegians as Kautokeino) were subsequently imprisoned, and some died behind bars.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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To the south, near the equator and the sun’s azimuth, low-pressure zones create frequent storms.—
Christophe Lavaysse,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2025
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Hail and damaging winds are the primary threats with these storms, along with a low tornado threat.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheaval. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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