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

Aleksandar Tomic, an economist and the associate dean for strategy, innovation, and technology at Boston College, told Fortune the escalating threats against AI are reminiscent of the upheaval ushered in by the Second Industrial Revolution more than 100 years ago. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026

From abdication to divorce to the shock of Princess Diana’s death nearly 30 years ago, the monarchy has repeatedly confronted upheaval that once seemed capable of bringing it to its knees. —Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

The deliberations come as recent market upheaval has brought the possibility of consolidation to the fore. —Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

Sze, 75, began his first term as poet laureate last fall, during a time of upheaval at the library. —ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for upheaval

• coeval
• medieval
• primeval
• retrieval
• evil
• weevil

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