upheaval

noun

up·​heav·​al ˌəp-ˈhē-vəl 

(ˌ)ə-ˈpē-

1

: the action or an instance of upheaving especially of part of the earth's crust

2

: extreme agitation or disorder : radical change

also : an instance of this

Synonyms

• bouleversement
• cataclysm
• convulsion
• earthquake
• paroxysm
• storm
• tempest
• tumult
• uproar

Examples of upheaval in a Sentence

The civil rights movement marked a period of social upheaval in the U.S.

the emotional upheaval of divorce

a period of cultural and social upheavals

The island was created by an upheaval of the ocean floor.

The lake was formed by geologic upheaval.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the Sarajevo Film Festival prepares to launch its 30th edition, which runs August 16-23, the event stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of Southeast European cinema in the face of social and political upheaval. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Aug. 2024

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the global social and economic upheaval that followed, migrants ignored her message and came to the U.S. border in massive numbers. —Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2024

The tragic incident resulted in no criminal charges — and community upheaval. —Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 9 Aug. 2024

Those decisions represent a larger upheaval in the health-care industry, as startups and the government work to increase transparency and lower costs for U.S. patients. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

upheaval

noun

up·​heav·​al ˌəp-ˈhē-vəl 

(ˌ)ə-ˈpē-

1

: the action or an instance of heaving or lifting up from beneath especially of part of the earth's crust

2

: an instance of violent disorder or change

emotional upheaval