earthquake

1 a shaking of the earth <the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes> Synonyms quake, shake, temblor, tremor Related Words aftershock, foreshock, shock; cataclysm, convulsion, upheaval; microearthquake, microseism, seaquake

2 a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order) <the election of the socialist candidate caused a political earthquake that nearly led to a military coup> Synonyms bouleversement, cataclysm, convulsion, paroxysm, storm, tempest, tumult, upheaval, uproarRelated Words insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, overthrow, overturn, rebellion, revolt, revolution, subversion, unrest, uprising, upset; fit, seizure, spasm; eruption, flare-up, outbreak, outburst; bluster, bobbery, bustle, coil, commotion, furor, furore, fuss, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, pandemonium, rout, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, to-do, turmoil, welter, williwaw; quaking, rocking, shaking, trembling