1
as in quakes
a shaking of the earth
the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of earthquakes
It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
—
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Dani provides the voiceover, filled with strained metaphors about earthquakes and sermons on the importance of summer, but the pretense that the dialogue is taken from his interrogation is quickly abandoned.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 19 June 2026
Since then, California has exploded in population and has been rattled by many major earthquakes, some far more deadly and similarly strong.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 19 June 2026
The researchers say the finding highlights how much remains unknown about the behavior of large earthquakes and the complex interactions between seismic waves and tectonic plates.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 June 2026
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Dani provides the voiceover, filled with strained metaphors about earthquakes and sermons on the importance of summer, but the pretense that the dialogue is taken from his interrogation is quickly abandoned.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 19 June 2026
Since then, California has exploded in population and has been rattled by many major earthquakes, some far more deadly and similarly strong.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 19 June 2026
The researchers say the finding highlights how much remains unknown about the behavior of large earthquakes and the complex interactions between seismic waves and tectonic plates.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earthquakes
Noun
-
The new findings could help people around the world better prepare for possible dangers hidden in the aftermath of quakes, Park says.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
18 June 2026
-
Experts say the San Andreas is a strike‑slip plate boundary, not a crack that can drop California into the ocean, and even large quakes cause sideways movement, not breakup.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Earth-impacting shrapnel from those primordial upheavals may have helped seed our planet with the precursors for life, delivering water and organic compounds from the dark, icy depths of the outer solar system.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
18 June 2026
-
Miniature upheavals by the courthouse steps.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The work converts planetary tremors into image and sound.—
Pablo Larios,
Artforum,
10 June 2026
-
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
-
There are dogs, bandits, romances, political revolutions, philosophical debates.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
16 June 2026
-
Now, British history goes back a long time, and there have been revolutions and wars, but since the coming of parliamentary government to Britain, Britain has not seen anything like this.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Earthquakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earthquakes. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
