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

But, Erb writes, the IRS itself is in the middle of quite a bit of upheaval. —Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Today’s young men came of age on the social internet, during the upheavals of COVID-19, and under the political dominance of the most narcissistic and superficial president in American history. —Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026

Russia is attempting to reassert its relevance after failing to support a series of allies who fell to internal or external upheavals. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 18 Jan. 2026

The eight-episode docuseries Back to Reality followed the family's controversy and upheaval, from Todd and Julie's time in federal prison to eventually being pardoned, released, and returning home. —Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Jan. 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