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
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
One of the major voices driving this upheaval is Arthur Laffer — the same economist who played a big part in the Prop 13 tax revolt.
—
Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
Why throw everything into upheaval when nobody needs Liquid Glass?
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This is also usually immediately following a time of upheaval due to planning, gift shopping of my own and major life changes.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Modern conservatism developed its own history and internal logic, emerging not merely in opposition but alongside liberalism as a powerful response to the social and economic upheavals of the early 20th century.
—Allan J. Lichtman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
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Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
Why throw everything into upheaval when nobody needs Liquid Glass?
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This is also usually immediately following a time of upheaval due to planning, gift shopping of my own and major life changes.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Modern conservatism developed its own history and internal logic, emerging not merely in opposition but alongside liberalism as a powerful response to the social and economic upheavals of the early 20th century.
—Allan J. Lichtman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upheaval. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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