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
Synonyms
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 district has also faced upheaval with school district leadership, as the school board did not renew principal Jeff Peterson's contract in December 2023.
—
Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
But there are some things HR leaders in particular can do to help their companies through a time of great upheaval.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
The report, which entailed more than 12,600 interviews, is one of the largest surveys in Myanmar since the military sparked the civil war by seizing power in 2021, and represents a rare accounting of economic upheaval in what was one of Asia’s most promising emerging markets.
—Rebecca Tan, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
In South Los Angeles, light-skinned motorists were pulled from their vehicles, including white truck driver Reginald Denny, whose near-fatal beating by four Black men was also caught on video and became one of the lasting images of the upheaval.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Labanc, 28, is a pending unrestricted free agent with a rebuilding organization that has undergone massive roster upheaval since Mike Grier took over as general manager in the summer of 2022.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024
Mann emphasized that even as Boeing remains under intense scrutiny and upheaval at the top, travelers should be assured that its planes are safe to fly on.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024
His readings of paintings usefully map his inner upheavals.
—Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024
At a time marked by political, economic and social upheavals, the Impressionists offered art in tune with modernity.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
But there are some things HR leaders in particular can do to help their companies through a time of great upheaval.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
The report, which entailed more than 12,600 interviews, is one of the largest surveys in Myanmar since the military sparked the civil war by seizing power in 2021, and represents a rare accounting of economic upheaval in what was one of Asia’s most promising emerging markets.
—Rebecca Tan, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
In South Los Angeles, light-skinned motorists were pulled from their vehicles, including white truck driver Reginald Denny, whose near-fatal beating by four Black men was also caught on video and became one of the lasting images of the upheaval.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Labanc, 28, is a pending unrestricted free agent with a rebuilding organization that has undergone massive roster upheaval since Mike Grier took over as general manager in the summer of 2022.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024
Mann emphasized that even as Boeing remains under intense scrutiny and upheaval at the top, travelers should be assured that its planes are safe to fly on.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024
His readings of paintings usefully map his inner upheavals.
—Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024
At a time marked by political, economic and social upheavals, the Impressionists offered art in tune with modernity.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'upheaval.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near upheaval
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upheaval. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share