upheaval

noun

up·​heav·​al ˌəp-ˈhē-vəl How to pronounce upheaval (audio)
(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 But the book also details Ford’s life after the confirmation: the death threats, the upheaval, the backlash. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 Russia’s economy also remains subject to upheaval and vulnerable to Western sanctions. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2024 China’s cycle of rural upheaval, new order, re-location and tough regulation, such as the one-child policy, is told through the eyes of a 10-year-old child in the film. Patrick Frater, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 Both are experiencing upheaval, rootlessness and panic, and both learn how to navigate life and whom to trust. Ty Burr, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 But the post-pandemic economy introduced a number of upheavals, including a labor shortage and the highest inflation in 40 years — which has since receded but remains above its pre-pandemic levels. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 Democrat Hubert Humphrey was crippled by the street violence outside — and the intraparty upheaval inside — the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Ron Elving, NPR, 3 Mar. 2024 Savvy marketers will have to learn to embrace AI's potential, weather societal upheavals, discern truths amid misinformation, and adapt to dynamic leadership changes. Bart Caylor, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Leave a comment View Comments Kohl has withstood the test of time, enduring eras of profound upheaval, including wars, colonialism, occupation, the rise and fall of empires, natural disasters, and significant cultural shifts. Zahra Hankir, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'upheaval.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of upheaval was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near upheaval

Cite this Entry

“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upheaval. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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

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