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

a period of social upheaval

also : an instance of this

one of human history's greatest upheavals

Synonyms of upheaval

• unrest
• revolution
• earthquake
• turmoil
• revolt
• insurrection
• uprising
• storm
• tumult
• convulsion

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 tumultuous gubernatorial race in the Golden State has drawn more than 60 candidates, and the top of the field has seen significant upheaval as the race has gone on. —Philip Wang, Time, 2 June 2026

But history suggests technological upheaval does not necessarily eliminate opportunity. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 June 2026

The discoveries are the latest in Egypt’s campaign to revive tourism and a battered economy, highlighted by the new Grand Egyptian Museum and record visitors despite years of upheaval, pandemic and war-related shocks. —Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026

Of course, the speculative, the surreal, the fantastic has always lent itself to intense, often other-wordly experiences of grief and upheaval. —Literary Hub, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for upheaval

• coeval
• medieval
• primaeval
• primeval
• retrieval
• evil
• weevil
• mediaeval

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