Definition of upheavenext
as in to heave
to lift with effort exactly how the builders of the pyramids at Giza upheaved such massive blocks of stone remains a mystery

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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 upheave Manchester by the Sea follows Massachusetts handyman Lee (Casey Affleck), whose life is upheaved by overwhelming personal tragedies. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2023 While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continually pledged to upheave the country's judiciary, numerous protests have been seen against the action in cities across Israel. Justin Klawans, The Week, 12 Feb. 2023 Watch Out For The Big Grrrls managed to upheave multi-year reality winner RuPaul’s Drag Race. Rivea Ruff, Essence, 12 Sep. 2022 Photo: Robert Ludovic / HBO Tovey, as a council official who upheaves his comfortable relationship for a newfound passion, carries a lot of the show’s heart with him. Liz Shannon Miller, The Verge, 24 June 2019 Three years on, The Players’ Tribune has become a regular source of breaking news: Kevin Durant announced his league-upheaving move to Golden State in July 2016 with an essayistic memo, which then become a recurring format. Amos Barshad, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2018 However, after finishes of third and second in the past two seasons, Kamara believes Pochettino sees no reason to upheave his squad, despite critics arguing the Lilywhites could fall behind their rivals. SI.com, 28 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheave
Verb
  • But Stidham’s awkward desperation heave came nowhere close to the back and bounced around on the grass near the left sideline before Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder scooped it up.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The senior captain threw down a one-handed dunk to open the final frame, then blocked a full-court heave right before the final buzzer to secure the victory.
    Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys legend actually got a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy a sixth time Tuesday, as the NFL tabbed him to unveil it at the Super Bowl LX fan experience as part of honoring a longtime FedEx employee.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The elderly man was then hoisted into a helicopter before he was transferred to an ambulance, officials said.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Upheave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheave. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

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