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

On his mind are various ideas for addressing social upheaval. — Reuters, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Kyiv, meanwhile, aims to sow economic discontent among Russians with strikes against oil refineries and e-commerce warehouses, but experts argued domestic upheaval is unlikely to change Moscow’s calculus. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Selling him would also mean another important player leaving and another one to come in and adapt to a squad which has a new leader in Sage, causing further upheaval. — Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Amid cultural and social upheaval in America, Parton grew accustomed to coming under fire. — Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for upheaval

• coeval
• medieval
• primaeval
• primeval
• retrieval
• evil
• weevil
• mediaeval

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