Thesaurus results for UPHEAVAL

upheaval

noun

ˌəp-ˈhē-vəl

Definition of upheaval

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 upheaval In a short speech welcoming guests, Keslassy highlighted the importance of bringing the international film community together at a time of upheaval and consolidation within the industry. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 Political upheaval The prosecutions have unfolded against the backdrop of dramatic changes in relations between Washington and Caracas. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 As Japan entered a period of political upheaval in the mid-nineteenth century, criminal gangs became useful in a new way. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 His run at Saint Laurent was unusual amidst a period of upheaval across the industry. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upheaval

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheaval

Noun

The unrest culminated in rioting and looting over the weekend, with officials estimating that the damages could be worth hundreds of millions of euros.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
France has had two consecutive quiet nights since the weekend’s unrest.

— Samuel Petrequin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of unrest

Noun

The revolution was an intimate one, grounded in a simple vision of heaven as a place for dancing cheek to cheek.

— David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Most employees work on the technology in one form or another as Nadella pivots the software giant to win the enterprise and cloud computing parts of the AI revolution.

— Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of revolution

Noun

If the New Madrid fault wakes up tomorrow, Arkansas would have to ask for help to understand how to handle the aftermath of an earthquake.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June and caused extensive damage also complicated efforts toward stability in the country.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of earthquake

Noun

Throughout that year, as Israelis poured into the streets to protest Netanyahu's far-right government and its plan to weaken the judiciary, Netanyahu's security chiefs warned that regional enemies could take advantage of the turmoil to attack.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
France, whose 10-year bond yield touched 5% last week for the first time since 2002, got a reprieve from recent turmoil after Moody’s decided to maintain its Aa3 credit rating and negative outlook on the nation.

— Ananya Chetia,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of turmoil

Noun

That might have caused something of a revolt among American NFL fans wanting to drive down the road to their local team's stadium and enjoy America's game – in America.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
The combination of slow growth, high inflation, profligate spending, and soaring debt has stirred a revolt in financial markets.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of revolt

Noun

The insurrection drew immediate and obvious parallels to the United States, which, during much of the past decade, has lurched alongside Brazil through a strange hall of mirrors.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Beyond calling and readying Americans for a fight against the insurrection, Lincoln also outlined the meaning and memory of the conflict about to commence.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of insurrection

Noun

Just weeks after the experiment ended, a prison uprising at Attica Correctional Facility in New York was thwarted with deadly force, resulting in 43 deaths.

— Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
France's post-revolution history is not a solid story of protests and reforms, but of cycles of popular uprisings, repression, mobilization and political concessions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of uprising

Noun

North of the center near Kakinada, the storm could cause about 3 to 5 feet of storm surge, where onshore winds pile water against the coast.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
In the wake of October 7, antisemitism has been an issue the BBC has struggled to get to grips with and documentary strand Storyville is in the eye of the storm.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of storm

Browse Nearby Words

upgrading

upheaval

upheavals

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheaval. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of upheaval

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes