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
His resignation, fueled by discontent over his family’s apparent lavish spending and luxurious lifestyle, marks the latest political upheaval in the Asian nation’s longstanding fight against corruption.
—
Chad De Guzman, Time, 3 June 2025
Anti-immigration politics threw the Dutch and German governments into upheaval amid growing nationalist sentiment in Europe.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 3 June 2025
Automakers brace for policy upheaval Automakers knew that Trump's election would bring huge changes to EV policy.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 3 June 2025
For company leaders, all that upheaval put worker mental health into the can’t-ignore category of issues affecting their organizations.
—Holly Bauer, Harvard Business Review, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
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Chad De Guzman, Time, 3 June 2025
Anti-immigration politics threw the Dutch and German governments into upheaval amid growing nationalist sentiment in Europe.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 3 June 2025
Automakers brace for policy upheaval Automakers knew that Trump's election would bring huge changes to EV policy.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 3 June 2025
For company leaders, all that upheaval put worker mental health into the can’t-ignore category of issues affecting their organizations.
—Holly Bauer, Harvard Business Review, 30 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 10 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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