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
The 2008 financial crisis saw Lehman turn to a bankruptcy to the tune of $600 billion into the upheaval of the world’s financial infrastructure.
—
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
With spring break just weeks away, and East Coasters seeking respite from back-to-back winter storms, the recent upheaval in Mexico has left travelers concerned about whether visiting the country is safe right now.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026
Kyiv is paying the price of the upheaval with constant churn and relentless loss, Ukrainians told me.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
The effects are still rippling through American institutions, and the long-term consequences of this upheaval remain to be seen.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
With spring break just weeks away, and East Coasters seeking respite from back-to-back winter storms, the recent upheaval in Mexico has left travelers concerned about whether visiting the country is safe right now.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026
Kyiv is paying the price of the upheaval with constant churn and relentless loss, Ukrainians told me.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
The effects are still rippling through American institutions, and the long-term consequences of this upheaval remain to be seen.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheaval
Noun
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The operation set off a wave of civil unrest, with vehicles being torched and gunmen, believed to be supported of Oseguera, blocking highways in a more than a dozen states.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
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Southwest Airlines and American Airlines resumed flights to parts of Mexico on Tuesday, following two days of cancellations in connection with civil unrest sparked by the killing of a powerful cartel leader in Mexico.—
Jordan Parker
Aviation,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Drones revolution The automation of warfare in Ukraine is the evolution that may endure the longest.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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French cinema has always been able to embrace technological revolutions to fuel creativity while respecting the role of the artist.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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Amidst the turmoil of 2026, the familiar flavor may be just what Americans are craving.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Martha Stewart,
26 Feb. 2026
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The past two years have been characterized by unprecedented global political turmoil, especially so in our region, which has inevitably bled into the cultural and cinematic spheres.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Nepali Congress has remained a popular party, but was part of the last coalition government that was forced out by a youth revolt in September.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
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The employee revolt forced Google to pull out of a bid to renew its contract to work on the project.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the regime, besieged by insurrections across the country, abandoned Manbij.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
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Presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon ruled Yoon’s deployment of troops to parliament and attempt to arrest political opponents, including current President Lee Jae Myung, who was then head of the opposition, were acts of insurrection.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Enslaved by the Romans, Spartacus (Andy Whitfield; later Liam McIntyre) is forced to undergo gladiator training as the series charts his path to becoming the leader of an uprising, known as the Third Servile War.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
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The event also commemorated roughly 100 protesters who were killed in February 2014 during Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity, a pro-Western uprising to thwart Russian influence on the fledgling democratic nation.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While parts of the state were hammered by Monday’s blizzard, snowfall totals in Boston were below the two feet that fell in late January’s massive storm.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
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If this week’s snow storm in the Northeast is any indication, winter isn’t over yet, so plan for plenty of layering over the weeks ahead.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheaval. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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