as in unrest
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the government can no longer control the social upheaval brought about by the collapse of the country's economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of upheaval
Macron’s fourth in more than a year of almost ceaseless political upheaval — puts the French leader in a bind.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Their home offers refuge to Black travelers navigating the upheaval of the Great Migration.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
In addition to the Silicon Valley Bank in 2023 upheaval, Yokum said, Comerica saw a significant outflow of deposits as competing financial institutions offered higher rates to savers once interest rates began climbing.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 6 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
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Their home offers refuge to Black travelers navigating the upheaval of the Great Migration.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
In addition to the Silicon Valley Bank in 2023 upheaval, Yokum said, Comerica saw a significant outflow of deposits as competing financial institutions offered higher rates to savers once interest rates began climbing.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 6 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
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheaval
Noun
-
Local grievances—such as power outages in Madagascar or rising food prices in Kenya—can quickly escalate into nationwide unrest, amplified by viral hashtags, memes and shared digital culture.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
In other footage of the unrest, two men were seen engaging in a fistfight outside the ICE facility before they were detained.—
Greg Norman , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
History happened here with an unprecedented number of fashion revolutions and evolutions.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
-
And as the superpowers moved on from Cold War battlefields, the ideological paradigms that had once made Central American revolutions feel globally significant faded with them.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Arefi is quick to point out that women were the most affected by last month’s deadly earthquake – a message echoed by the UN Women Special Representative in Afghanistan – just one of many examples of their suffering.—
Amanda Davies,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The earthquake struck at a depth of just 2 miles, with its epicenter roughly 4 miles east of Vallejo.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Regional lenders have been under pressure after last year's banking turmoil, prompting mergers aimed at strengthening balance sheets and expanding into faster-growing markets.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Amid the turmoil the Aces seek their third title after winning in 2022 and ‘23.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
What began as a protest against a government social media ban quickly morphed into a broader revolt against corruption and economic stagnation.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The popularity of these names, especially in Galilee, a hotbed of revolt and messianic expectations, stemmed from their revolutionary connotations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The National Guard can be deployed to assist Americans during natural disasters and in times of insurrection or open revolt.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
6 Oct. 2025
-
There is no insurrection in Portland.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The uprisings moved through the region as the Arab Spring ignited, and tens of millions of frustrated residents went online to coordinate.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Moroccan protesters are using social media platforms like TikTok and Discord—a messaging app popular among gamers and also used during the Nepal uprising—to organize, with the group 'Gen Z 212' and other groups coordinating rallies.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheaval. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share