upheaval

noun

up·​heav·​al ˌəp-ˈhē-vəl How to pronounce upheaval (audio)
(ˌ)ə-ˈpē-
Synonyms of upheaval
1
: the action or an instance of upheaving especially of part of the earth's crust
2
: extreme agitation or disorder : radical change
a period of social upheaval
also : an instance of this
one of human history's greatest upheavals

Synonyms of upheaval

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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
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.
Guardiola is gone, star midfielder Rodri has departed, and there is ongoing upheaval across several positions as new boss Enzo Maresca reshapes the squad. — Dean Jones, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 So the city’s annual meeting with the investment community came at an inconvenient time given the personnel upheaval on the fifth floor. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 Many health care CEOs received big pay raises while their hospital systems grappled with rising expenses after the pandemic, narrow operating margins, and statewide upheaval following the collapse of Steward Health Care. — Jonathan Saltzman — Boston Globe, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026 Kushner believes sports provides an economic opportunity expressly because it’s relatively insulated by the potential volatility and upheaval that’s coming from the bulk of his portfolio. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upheaval

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of upheaval was in 1838

Rhymes for upheaval

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Browse Nearby Words

upheaped
upheaval
upheavalist
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Cite this Entry

“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upheaval. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

upheaval

noun
up·​heav·​al ˌəp-ˈhē-vəl How to pronounce upheaval (audio)
(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

More from Merriam-Webster on upheaval

Nglish: Translation of upheaval for Spanish Speakers

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