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

The year before, 1933, the Long Beach earthquake had changed the way California built buildings. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Her nonprofit responded to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, wildfires in Hawaii and California and hurricanes in Florida, according to Thompson. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

It was granted to El Salvador following two devastating 2001 earthquakes that left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. — Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

The healthcare system was already so weakened before the earthquakes that medications were scarce and a hospital’s electricity and water could go out at any time. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026