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
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
Her physicality is heavy and rigid, bringing a kind of terror to the story that turns every boring instance of parental upheaval into something cosmically profound.
—
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
The upheavals of 2024 followed close behind.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025
Jack Warner set off the ’60s upheavals by abruptly selling his family fiefdom to an unknown entity named Kinney.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025
Mike Strouse, president and CEO of GoodLife Innovations, which has owned the school since 2000, said that upheaval was due to the school losing its longtime director because of visa issues.
—Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
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Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
The upheavals of 2024 followed close behind.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025
Jack Warner set off the ’60s upheavals by abruptly selling his family fiefdom to an unknown entity named Kinney.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025
Mike Strouse, president and CEO of GoodLife Innovations, which has owned the school since 2000, said that upheaval was due to the school losing its longtime director because of visa issues.
—Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 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 24 Dec. 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
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