upheaval

noun

ˌəp-ˈhē-vəl How to pronounce upheaval (audio)
Definition of upheavalnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 upheaval All this economic upheaval raises a central question: Why is Trump so focused on tariffs? — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2025 Navigating personal loss and political upheaval, this trailblazing female printer and newspaper publisher helped shape the ideological foundations of the American Revolution. — Alexandra Cox, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheaval
  1. unrest
  2. revolution
  3. earthquake
  4. turmoil
  5. revolt
  6. insurrection
  7. uprising
  8. storm
Noun
  • The levels are based off several factors, including crime levels, threats of terrorism, civil unrest, health concerns and the possibility of a natural disaster, according to the State Department.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to long-standing restrictions, the State Department issued a travel advisory in August warning citizens not to travel to Iran due to political unrest in the region.
    — Amin Khodadadi, NBC News, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of unrest
Noun
  • In the picturesque landscape of England's Lake District, a whisky revolution is quietly unfolding.
    — Mark Littler, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • As the deep-tech revolution unfolds, startup studios are an efficient and structured way to build companies.
    — Pierrick Bouffaron, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of revolution
Noun
  • More than 1,000 people have died following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and nearby Thailand on Friday, March 28, according to reports.
    — Escher Walcott, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The death toll from a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Southeast Asia on Friday drastically climbed on Saturday with reports of 1,600 dead in Myanmar and predictive modeling showing the true toll could reach 10,000.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of earthquake
Noun
  • But Haiti has been in constant turmoil, hampering U.S. efforts.
    — Gisela Salomon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Such a break in tradition would be catastrophic for the diamond industry, which is already in turmoil.
    — Garth Friesen, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of turmoil
Noun
  • Carney assumed his role as Liberal leader and prime minister after his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, announced his resignation in January amid a polling slump for the Liberal Party and an internal revolt in his cabinet.
    — Max Saltman, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
  • This change sparked revolt and, eventually, revolution.
    — Carla Gardina Pestana, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of revolt
Noun
  • More recently, in March 2024, his court issued a unanimous decision blocking state-level efforts to bar Trump from the ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause—a ruling that secured Trump’s path to renomination.
    — Nik Popli, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The Department of Justice expunged the January 6th insurrection from its website, and whitehouse.gov took down an explainer page about the Constitution.
    — Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of insurrection
Noun
  • Karla Jay remembers joining the second night of street protests during the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City.
    — Orion Rummler, Them, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Egypt’s military governments have long been deeply distrustful of Islamist movements, notably the homegrown Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, and Sisi himself came to power in a military coup against a Muslim Brotherhood president who was elected after the uprising of 2011.
    — Lisa Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of uprising
Noun
  • Then, with a storm system working its way south along the Central Coast region, there is a chance Los Angeles could see light rain between March 30 and April 2.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Russian River Valley Pinot Noir took the world by storm with its irresistible lushness and decadently rich flavors.
    — Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of storm

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upgrading
upheaval
upheavals
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Cite this Entry

“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheaval. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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