1
as in quake
a shaking of the earth
the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of earthquake
What began as a personal epiphany under Morrie’s tutelage became a lifelong mission of hope in 2010, when a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti.
—
Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Strong to very strong shaking was reported on the west side of the Island of Hawaii, and the earthquake resulted in several aftershocks.
—Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Genetic Memory In March 1964, the largest earthquake ever documented in North America uprooted the Gulf of Alaska.
—Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 21 May 2026
The current terminal sits just 250 feet from active runways, short of modern FAA standards, and predates current earthquake and accessibility codes.
—Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Strong to very strong shaking was reported on the west side of the Island of Hawaii, and the earthquake resulted in several aftershocks.
—Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Genetic Memory In March 1964, the largest earthquake ever documented in North America uprooted the Gulf of Alaska.
—Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 21 May 2026
The current terminal sits just 250 feet from active runways, short of modern FAA standards, and predates current earthquake and accessibility codes.
—Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earthquake
Noun
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Photos from the local information office in General Santos City, which has about 720,000 people, showed convenience stores and buildings crumbling in the aftermath of the quake.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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By about five hours after the quake struck, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the threat of a tsunami had largely passed.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Noun
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The rule, adopted before the 2020 season but not implemented until this year due to the upheavals caused by the coronavirus pandemic, states that a team cannot use a position player on the mound unless there is a difference of six or more runs between the two teams.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Jennifer Garner is unpacking the 'upheaval' in family life that came from her 2015 split from ex-husband Ben Affleck.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Ancheta said there were no immediate reports of casualties, but some people fainted following the strong tremor.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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The shaking was also felt in South Dadeland, where at least one building was evacuated after tremors were reported inside.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Noun
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The Next Generation Action Network, a social justice group supporting Anthony, has compared him to Kyle Rittenhouse, the teen acquitted of all charges in 2021 for killing two people during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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Police, familiar with unrest in the city, were on standby with cordons of armored cars, which were quickly pelted with projectiles by the rioters.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Iranian flags of pre-1979 revolution vintage — flags that many Iranian-Americans wave as a protest against the current regime in Tehran — are banned from the match, per FIFA.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
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The name almendrón comes from the Spanish word for almond, a reference to the rounded shape of the large American sedans imported before Cuba’s 1959 revolution.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Noun
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County officials said the money would be used to repair roads, fix storm damage, maintain bridges and manage roadside vegetation.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
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Both items are nice to have in Arizona, where AC units run hard through summer and monsoon storms can leave roofs in need of repair.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earthquake. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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