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
That decision is made for them when their bunker is destroyed by earthquakes and the Garrity family escapes across the Atlantic with a small group of survivors.
—
Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The catastrophic events of the Upside Down may have been swept under the rug as an earthquake, but at least there’s a memorial!
—William Earl, Variety, 1 Jan. 2026
In 1972: Baseball legend and humanitarian Roberto Clemente died at 38 in a plane crash while taking supplies to help people devastated by an earthquake that killed thousands the week before in Nicaragua.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 31 Dec. 2025
In California, additional safeguards help schools withstand earthquakes, while those in other states protect against floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
—Scott Feuless, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The catastrophic events of the Upside Down may have been swept under the rug as an earthquake, but at least there’s a memorial!
—William Earl, Variety, 1 Jan. 2026
In 1972: Baseball legend and humanitarian Roberto Clemente died at 38 in a plane crash while taking supplies to help people devastated by an earthquake that killed thousands the week before in Nicaragua.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 31 Dec. 2025
In California, additional safeguards help schools withstand earthquakes, while those in other states protect against floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
—Scott Feuless, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earthquake
Noun
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These aftershocks are usually less violent than the main quake, but not always.—
Pat Harvey,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Those who felt the quake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These are among the many questions posed by Simon Morrison’s sprawling biography of place, which seeks to understand a nation through the life of its largest city, tracing Moscow’s evolution via dozens of historical upheavals, from war, famine, drought, and much, much more.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
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It’s been a big year of upheaval for Allen, who split from ex David Harbour in February, per People.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In recent days, tremor patterns at the summit have been consistent with periods of low tremor that correlate with ponds filling with magma and tremor spikes related to magma drainback, according to the USGS.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Nov. 2025
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Weak shaking has been recorded and residents reported experiencing the tremor in several cities, including Moreno Valley, Grand Terrace and Redlands according to the USGS DYFI report.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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However, unrest still broke out at the game on Thursday, with anti-Israel protesters in the vicinity.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Tanzania is one of several African countries to hold disputed elections this year that have resulted in unrest.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The young republic’s survival hinged on distancing itself from a Europe convulsed by revolution and war.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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One early muse-like figure is Martin Luther, who in 1524 sparked a revolution by challenging the church’s influence on commerce.—
Valerie L. Myers,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
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Rising sea levels and relentless storms are erasing land faster than locals – or officials – can respond.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earthquake. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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