Synonyms of earthquake

earthquake

noun

ˈərth-ˌkwāk 

1

as in quake

a shaking of the earth

the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quake
• tremor
• temblor
• shake
• aftershock
• shock
• upheaval
• convulsion
• foreshock
• microearthquake
• cataclysm
• microseism
• seaquake

2

as in upheaval

a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)

the election of the socialist candidate caused a political earthquake that nearly led to a military coup

Synonyms & Similar Words

• upheaval
• unrest
• revolution
• storm
• insurrection
• uprising
• revolt
• convulsion
• tempest
• turmoil
• cataclysm
• paroxysm
• eruption
• rebellion
• tumult
• uproar
• mutiny
• stir
• insurgency
• outbreak
• bouleversement
• overthrow
• seizure
• outburst
• upset
• spasm
• subversion
• commotion
• coil
• to-do
• shaking
• trembling
• squall
• row
• quaking
• pandemonium
• fit
• ruckus
• bustle
• furor
• overturn
• hubbub
• rocking
• rout
• bobbery
• flare-up
• furore
• ruction
• stew
• rumpus
• bluster
• hullabaloo
• fuss
• hurly-burly
• welter
• shindy
• williwaw

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of earthquake

In December of 1992, a magnitude 7 earthquake caused a tsunami that killed about 2,500 people on the southeastern island of Flores, part of a group of islands in the eastern half of Indonesia. — Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026

Aparcedo and her family spent three years in a shelter following the floods before being relocated to a public housing project — which toppled in the June earthquake. — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

An archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is prone to seismic activity and has suffered several devastating earthquakes in the past. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Last week, a minor geopolitical earthquake shook the Middle East. — Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026