as in unrest
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the government can no longer control the social upheaval brought about by the collapse of the country's economy
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Recent Examples of upheaval
This year’s Oscars, the 98th edition, will also unfold with the country at war in the Middle East, but despite that symmetry, rewatching the 2003 telecast today is to be reminded of just how radically the culture of Hollywood has been altered by the political upheavals of the early aughts.
—
Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
Afghanistan and Cameroon continue to struggle with their own political instability and social upheaval.
—Jordan Liz, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
South Africa’s president courted business leaders during a two-day state visit to Brazil aimed at bolstering trade ties with Latin America’s biggest economy amid upheaval sparked by US tariffs and the Iran war.
—semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
These people hoped that a market upheaval might spur change.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
Afghanistan and Cameroon continue to struggle with their own political instability and social upheaval.
—Jordan Liz, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
South Africa’s president courted business leaders during a two-day state visit to Brazil aimed at bolstering trade ties with Latin America’s biggest economy amid upheaval sparked by US tariffs and the Iran war.
—semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
These people hoped that a market upheaval might spur change.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheaval
Noun
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The Basij have long operated as a national paramilitary force under the command of Iran's Islamic theocratic rulers, playing a major role in violently quashing anti-government protests, including the unprecedented wave of unrest in January.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Elsewhere, experts have warned of social unrest as pump prices soar, rattling governments in Southeast Asia.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Hours earlier, Orban's supporters had massed in front of parliament on the country's annual commemoration of its 1848 revolution against Habsburg rule.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
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Díaz-Canel’s words masked what was, for adherents of a revolution celebrated by the global left, a painful reality.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Mar. 2026
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Set against the backdrop of the city’s recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the film traces the two women’s gradual reconciliation through their father’s photographs, exploring themes of loss, identity and the Filipino diaspora.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Rizvi’s The Great Shamsuddin Family is a social satire set over the course of a single day in Delhi, following a writer racing to meet a crucial deadline while managing her family’s escalating turmoil.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
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On today’s Big Take podcast, a look at how Iran could throw energy supplies into turmoil even after shooting stops.—
David Gura,
Bloomberg,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Jacir’s absorbing film takes place during the 1936–39 Arab revolt, which was a response to British rule and the colonial authority’s partnership with newly arriving Jewish refugees from Europe.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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Amidst an anti-colonial revolt, and with Jewish refugees fleeing persecution from Europe, all sides converge in a decisive moment for the entire region.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The film presents boosting as an act of insurrection from the street up.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
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There was also a plan to encourage an insurrection in early 2023.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The regime has been accused of killing thousands of protesters and detaining tens of thousands more during the uprising.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
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Killing Soleimani would likely further strain the command and control of the Basij, which would be crucial in putting down any uprising against the theocracy.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Officials say the storm brought 2 to 4 feet of snow across Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
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The country, which is the biggest island in the Caribbean, has also been hit by Category 5 storms, most recently with Hurricane Irma in 2017, which killed at least 10 people, according to the Herald’s archives.—
David Goodhue
March 16,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheaval. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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