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

As Hollywood navigates a period of upheaval, marked by consolidation, layoffs and growing risk aversion, the role of the Cannes Film Festival feels more charged than ever. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026

Epic survived upheavals in 1990’s with the move from 2D to 3D with Unreal 1; in the 2000’s building console games with Gears of War; and in 2012 moving to online gaming with Paragon and Fortnite. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026

More upheaval struck the franchise a few months after the seasons starring Tran and Ellis with the announcement that executive producers Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner would be exiting. —Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026

The supply chain upheaval also extends to helium, a key industrial gas used in cooling and leak detection. —Angelica Ang, Fortune, 23 Mar. 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