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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  • Byfield heaved a backhanded centering pass to the rear post for a redirection by Moore, the Kings’ first goal of the playoffs from someone other than Panarin.
    Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • To end the first, Jaylin Williams wound his arm back and heaved a deep ball to Holmgren, whose rangy arms reeled in the pass for a dribble and a moving 3.
    Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • From there, the astronauts were hoisted into helicopters and transported to the Murtha for further evaluation, completing one of the most complex and carefully choreographed phases of the mission.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
  • And while many of his teammates talked of their desire to see their captain hoist the Stanley Cup one more time, just making the playoffs appeared beyond the Kings’ reach until the final two weeks of the regular season.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upheave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheave. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster