as in revolutions
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 upheavals
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,
17 June 2026
Along with similar four-year deals — longer than the industry three — ratified in recent weeks by unions representing writers and actors, the DGA agreement adds to the likelihood of long-term labor peace despite many other industry upheavals.
—
ABC News,
9 June 2026
The rule, adopted before the 2020 season but not implemented until this year due to the upheavals caused by the coronavirus pandemic, states that a team cannot use a position player on the mound unless there is a difference of six or more runs between the two teams.
—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Crocodilian ancestors have persisted through mass extinctions, dramatic climate shifts and ecological upheavals that have eradicated countless other lineages.
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Then, in the wake of 1968’s political upheavals, both artists redirected their attention toward social systems—producing the work they’re best known for today.
—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
24 May 2026
For nearly two decades, soccer coach Patrice Millet has used the game to help children from some of Haiti’s poorest neighborhoods find refuge from their country’s upheavals.
—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Polyploidy may help species survive such upheavals.
—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
18 June 2026
Miniature upheavals by the courthouse steps.
—
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Along with similar four-year deals — longer than the industry three — ratified in recent weeks by unions representing writers and actors, the DGA agreement adds to the likelihood of long-term labor peace despite many other industry upheavals.
—
ABC News,
9 June 2026
The rule, adopted before the 2020 season but not implemented until this year due to the upheavals caused by the coronavirus pandemic, states that a team cannot use a position player on the mound unless there is a difference of six or more runs between the two teams.
—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Crocodilian ancestors have persisted through mass extinctions, dramatic climate shifts and ecological upheavals that have eradicated countless other lineages.
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Then, in the wake of 1968’s political upheavals, both artists redirected their attention toward social systems—producing the work they’re best known for today.
—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
24 May 2026
For nearly two decades, soccer coach Patrice Millet has used the game to help children from some of Haiti’s poorest neighborhoods find refuge from their country’s upheavals.
—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Polyploidy may help species survive such upheavals.
—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheavals
Noun
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The Courant has reported some colonists were not exactly thrilled by the notion of severing ties with England and that true believers in independence probably initially were in the minority, as with all revolutions.
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A16z partners, including SDN pioneers Martin Casado and Raghu Raghuram, see Netris as essential for the AI era, akin to past data center networking revolutions.
Noun
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Satellite photos showed the destruction in Venezuela left by two powerful earthquakes that struck Wednesday and left more than 900 people dead.
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Countries around the Caribbean Sea are vulnerable to major earthquakes because of the tectonic plates in the region.
Noun
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Starmer also has angered supporters with attempts to cut welfare spending, some of which were reversed after Labour revolts.
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Then came revolts and revolutions in Ireland, the Swiss cantons, the Rhineland, the Netherlands, the Italian states, and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Noun
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There were rebellions, insurrections and an Appian Way lined with crucifixions.
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But the regime, besieged by insurrections across the country, abandoned Manbij.
Noun
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Secessionist uprisings in the provinces like Tatarstan or Bashkortistan or Chechnya.
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In the late sixteenth century, the Spanish Hapsburgs, the Catholic dynasty that ruled the Netherlands, sent in an army to crush a series of Calvinist uprisings.
Noun
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While rain coverage is expected to remain limited, any storms that develop could produce gusty winds, frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall.
-
While most areas will remain dry through the end of this week, there is a chance for weakening showers and storms over far northwestern Missouri each evening, the weather service said.
Noun
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About two couples, connected and dependent on one another, raising their kids alongside each other, facing the same turmoils, the same existential questions.
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Mayer and Strong offer a broad pop-history lesson, in which the same tensions and turmoils churn on and on in their terrible cycle throughout the decades; the only thing that’s changed are the aesthetics.
Noun
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Later Wednesday, Mexico City Health Secretary Nadine Gasman, told a news conference that another man, about 30, was treated by emergency personnel after suffering an epileptic seizure, convulsions, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
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It is known to cause neurological problems, convulsions and comas, with children particularly at risk.
Cite this Entry
“Upheavals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheavals. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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