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 Bills, on the other hand, came into 2024 with questions over the direction of the organization after an offseason of upheaval.
—
Ben Morse, CNN, 25 Sep. 2024
Though it's been just two months since Trump was targeted by a gunman at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where one bystander was killed, the Secret Service has already experienced several upheavals, from on-the-ground operations to senior leadership.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024
All of this upheaval left Americans anxious and fearful.
—Ruth D. Nelson / Made By History, TIME, 13 Sep. 2024
Over the last few years, the Portland Thorns have gone through a lot of upheaval: A $63 million sale to new owners, a new coach, plus several scandals and missteps that caused an outcry from fans.
—Meira Gebel, Axios, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for upheaval 
Ben Morse, CNN, 25 Sep. 2024
Though it's been just two months since Trump was targeted by a gunman at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where one bystander was killed, the Secret Service has already experienced several upheavals, from on-the-ground operations to senior leadership.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024
All of this upheaval left Americans anxious and fearful.
—Ruth D. Nelson / Made By History, TIME, 13 Sep. 2024
Over the last few years, the Portland Thorns have gone through a lot of upheaval: A $63 million sale to new owners, a new coach, plus several scandals and missteps that caused an outcry from fans.
—Meira Gebel, Axios, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for upheaval
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 16 Oct. 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
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