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

• bouleversement
• cataclysm
• convulsion
• earthquake
• paroxysm
• storm
• tempest
• tumult
• uproar

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

Entertainment & Arts Center Theatre Group in crisis: Inside the Mark Taper Forum’s closure and the upheaval in L.A. arts June 26, 2023 My unexpected reaction stems from Desai’s misguided production. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024

Once a more proactive approach to supply chain upheaval is in place, fire drills should become less frequent and more manageable. —Hannah Kain, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

Zoom out: The announcement comes amid serious upheaval in MLB's revenue model as local cable television deals fall apart and teams migrate to the league's streaming app — a move certain to mean lower revenue, at least in the short term. —Kyle Stokes, Axios, 10 Oct. 2024

When Avril moves in with a woman, resorting for a while to the pretense of separate bedrooms, this upheaval in their lives is barely mentioned. —Charles McGrath, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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