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
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
Born on December 16, 1988, in Vlorë, Albania, during the final years of the country’s totalitarian regime, Murati’s early life was shaped by political upheaval and economic uncertainty.
—
Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
But now, Piccioli has committed to move to Paris to take on Balenciaga, taking his place in the most giant upheaval fashion has seen since the millennium.
—Sarah Mower, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2025
The recent discovery of what was initially thought to be an explosive device on a body brought to Indianapolis for examination could indicate more trouble at a neighboring county's coroner office already wracked by recent upheaval.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Amid the churn in Europe and globally, with trenchant nationalism on the rise, and a war raging in Ukraine just 1,200 miles from the palace, many might say that having a hereditary royal as their head of state offers some reassuring continuity, acting as a counterweight to political upheaval.
—Vivienne Walt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
But now, Piccioli has committed to move to Paris to take on Balenciaga, taking his place in the most giant upheaval fashion has seen since the millennium.
—Sarah Mower, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2025
The recent discovery of what was initially thought to be an explosive device on a body brought to Indianapolis for examination could indicate more trouble at a neighboring county's coroner office already wracked by recent upheaval.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Amid the churn in Europe and globally, with trenchant nationalism on the rise, and a war raging in Ukraine just 1,200 miles from the palace, many might say that having a hereditary royal as their head of state offers some reassuring continuity, acting as a counterweight to political upheaval.
—Vivienne Walt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upheaval. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share