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
Expert in identity management, AI and open-source solutions. 2025 has ushered in a great deal of political upheaval and technological changes, with more coming at us almost daily.
—
Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Farré has now offered those assurances, while admitting the recent exec upheaval has been emotional for everyone.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 23 May 2025
And nowhere is this upheaval more apparent than in the turning tides of geopolitics.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Geopolitical upheavals appear to be one of the many such hurdles for India, as well as businesses eyeing the country.
—Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
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Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Farré has now offered those assurances, while admitting the recent exec upheaval has been emotional for everyone.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 23 May 2025
And nowhere is this upheaval more apparent than in the turning tides of geopolitics.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Geopolitical upheavals appear to be one of the many such hurdles for India, as well as businesses eyeing the country.
—Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 22 May 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 4 Jun. 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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