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
Given the massive upheaval in Bieber’s life and business affairs, a brand new team around him, and his longest-ever wait in between records, industry insiders watched closely last week, wondering how Bieber would fare in the most-consequential era of his career to date.
—
Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2025
The Dignity Act comes in the wake of that upheaval.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
Experienced planners have this data at the ready in moments of market upheaval.
—Amin Dabit, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
That changed during a period of economic and regulatory upheaval in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
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Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2025
The Dignity Act comes in the wake of that upheaval.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
Experienced planners have this data at the ready in moments of market upheaval.
—Amin Dabit, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
That changed during a period of economic and regulatory upheaval in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 16 July 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 29 Jul. 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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