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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of upheaval
The book’s background is Italy in the 1970s, an era of political upheaval, though the reader only gets glimpses of it.
—
Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Some students did not attend online classes and some schools dropped attendance expectations because of the upheaval, teachers and school leaders have told USA TODAY.
—Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
The upheaval has made the VA hospitals a less-than-appealing place to work, according to Siebers.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The United States and South Korea previously butted heads over how to handle the threat from North Korea, and there have been periodic public upheavals in Korean public opinion over tragic incidents involving American troops stationed on the peninsula.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Some students did not attend online classes and some schools dropped attendance expectations because of the upheaval, teachers and school leaders have told USA TODAY.
—Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
The upheaval has made the VA hospitals a less-than-appealing place to work, according to Siebers.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The United States and South Korea previously butted heads over how to handle the threat from North Korea, and there have been periodic public upheavals in Korean public opinion over tragic incidents involving American troops stationed on the peninsula.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheaval
Noun
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The last time a president bypassed a state’s governor in sending the National Guard to quell civil unrest was in Selma, Alabama, in 1965.—
Luke William Hunt,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Since the summer of unrest over the death of George Floyd, the NFL has allowed teams to have performers sing the song, known as the Black national anthem.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The next internet revolution may come through a hollow strand of glass.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
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The revolution isn't about changing your leadership style.—
Dana Williams,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The earthquake shook at a depth of just 3 miles, with its epicenter roughly 4 miles southeast of Black Point-Green Point.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The death toll from Sunday's powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan is now 2,205, with another 3,640 people injured, a Taliban government spokesman said Thursday.—
Morgan Winsor,
ABC News,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thailand has been in political turmoil since, ever since deadly border clashes with Cambodian forces.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Stock futures gained momentum on Sunday evening as investors brace for fresh inflation data and political turmoil overseas that could ripple through the bond market.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Then around the time the revolt begins, the intertitles disappear.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Five days later, after a revolt, he was reinstated.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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His judicial reach has extended deep into Brazil's political and digital spheres, with sweeping orders to block social media accounts linked to the January 2023 insurrection, sanctions against X (formerly Twitter), and criminal referrals for digital disinformation campaigns.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
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Both Yoon and Kim have been arrested and are in jail, with Yoon already undergoing trial on charges that include insurrection following his ouster in April over a botched bid to impose martial law in December.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This summer’s uprising against ICE’s cruelty was just the latest in a long tradition.—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
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Other notes reference the Gordon Riots — an uprising in 1780 spurred by anti-Catholic sentiment — and the Mohocks, a violent gang of upper-class young men who got drunk and attacked people.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
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None of the six summer arrivals have yet taken English football by storm and Wolves needed at least a couple of players who were battle-hardened in the league.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheaval. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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