1
as in quakes
a shaking of the earth
the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in upheavals
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 earthquakes
It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
—
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Mar. 2026
The Arabian and Eurasian plates continue to move toward each other at around 20 millimeters a year, sometimes triggering deadly earthquakes.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
There's no obvious evidence that earthquakes triggered the Colombian explosion, Manga said.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Understanding friction better could help scientists better understand how the Earth’s tectonic plates slide and grind during earthquakes, for example, or to save energy by reducing friction and wear.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
The same physics in slip pulses are seen during earthquakes, when tectonic faults produce high-speed ruptures that sometimes move faster than the speed of sound.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
An earpiece was initially proposed strictly for emergencies — earthquakes, sudden weather changes — but Honnold readily agreed to stay connected and converse occasionally with the broadcast team below.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Mar. 2026
The Arabian and Eurasian plates continue to move toward each other at around 20 millimeters a year, sometimes triggering deadly earthquakes.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
There's no obvious evidence that earthquakes triggered the Colombian explosion, Manga said.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Understanding friction better could help scientists better understand how the Earth’s tectonic plates slide and grind during earthquakes, for example, or to save energy by reducing friction and wear.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
The same physics in slip pulses are seen during earthquakes, when tectonic faults produce high-speed ruptures that sometimes move faster than the speed of sound.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
An earpiece was initially proposed strictly for emergencies — earthquakes, sudden weather changes — but Honnold readily agreed to stay connected and converse occasionally with the broadcast team below.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earthquakes
Noun
-
Rapid drops in temperature like these can lead to frost quakes, ice quakes and lake quakes.—
Tammie Souza,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Frost quakes occur when the ground rapidly freezes and expands, creating a loud booming sound and sometimes minor, localized shaking.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At a planning board meeting in January, an opponent of One Boca cited the upheavals of the last century and asked how anyone could approve a long-term plan given the uncertainty the next hundred years may bring.—
Jason Haber,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
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So Old So Young by Grant Ginder Over twenty years and five parties, six college friends reunite again and again, believing their bond will outlast the upheavals of adulthood.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Shifting comments from the Republican president and his top aides are adding to the precariousness of the 12-day-old conflict, which is impacting nearly every corner of the Middle East and causing economic tremors around the globe.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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The political tremors triggered by the ballot measure already have reshaped California’s political landscape.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Technological revolutions can bring economic transformation, particularly for those nations and geographies that have too often been left behind in the past.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Van der Poel took the group with him until there were 16km remaining before attacking over the Muur van Geraardsbergen, blowing up the group with what felt like about eight revolutions of his pedals.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Earthquakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earthquakes. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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