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

Evans’ historic eight terms as the first Black chief judge saw the county through reforms, changes and upheavals including the elimination of cash bail and the COVID-19 pandemic. —Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026

The calendar conundrum Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said Tuesday that college football’s national championship game should be played on New Year’s Day in an effort to avoid conflict with the transfer portal and staff upheaval. —Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026

Ivory Coast has, however, experienced significant political upheaval in those decades, including civil wars in 2002 and 2010. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026

This year saw upheaval in all corners of health, science, and biotech. —Stat Staff, STAT, 29 Dec. 2025

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