as in unrest
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the government can no longer control the social upheaval brought about by the collapse of the country's economy
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Recent Examples of upheaval
This has been a year of unexpected upheaval for the drummers in The Who and Foo Fighters, both of whom were abruptly fired this spring despite — or, perhaps, because of — their formidable talents.
—
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
This summer will prove to be one of major upheaval for many Italian clubs, with managers leaving and joining different sides.
—Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
But after years of upheaval, 911 calls and hospitalizations, Dawn was making strides in the months before her death, her kids say.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 29 May 2025
Planning for the future is also becoming more difficult for Apple and other technology companies amid the upheaval being caused by the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.
—Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
This summer will prove to be one of major upheaval for many Italian clubs, with managers leaving and joining different sides.
—Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
But after years of upheaval, 911 calls and hospitalizations, Dawn was making strides in the months before her death, her kids say.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 29 May 2025
Planning for the future is also becoming more difficult for Apple and other technology companies amid the upheaval being caused by the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.
—Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheaval
Noun
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During last December’s unrest, the young farmer participated in a now-famous protest at Namtaeryeong, a normally quiet subway station where police were blocking the protesters’ path to Seoul.—
Yejin Gim,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 June 2025
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His electoral campaign had centered on the promise of putting an end to the unrest in Donbas, which had been rumbling on for years.—
Anna Batta,
The Conversation,
2 June 2025
Noun
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Each episode explores a pivotal or outrageous moment in marijuana history—from ancient tokes to cultural revolutions—blending humor with surprisingly rich education.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
6 June 2025
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The artificial intelligence revolution has reached a critical inflection point.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
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During an earlier monologue, Robin talks about the great earthquake that will one day level the Pacific Northwest, and at times his words sound not like a prophecy or a warning, but an oblique recollection of the emotional earthquake that devastated him.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 May 2025
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Ring While the United States Geological Survey stresses that factors like the distance from the earthquake, type of soil a building is built on and construction design are all key factors, damage begins to occur if an earthquake reaches somewhere between 4 or 5 magnitude.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Noun
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The turmoil at key U.S. agencies threatens everything from forecast quality to storm recovery.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Meanwhile, the federal government agencies responsible for forecasting and disaster relief are in turmoil.—
Andrew Torgan,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Five days later, after a revolt, he was reinstated.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
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Related article As Trump reignites a trade war and faces a bond market revolt, the economy is about to go through the wringer this week It’s been somewhat difficult to assess the true health of consumer spending lately.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
Noun
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What’s the political climate, social climate that has to exist in order for an insurrection to appear?—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
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It was suspended across the states during the entire Civil War; in counties in South Carolina that were overrun by the Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction; in specific places in the Philippines during an insurrection in 1905; and in Hawaii following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Karen Young, founder of the inclusive body care brand Oui the People, similarly recalls the emotional labor of leading during collective crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 racial uprisings and the recent election.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
28 May 2025
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Filmmakers, inspired by the uprising, began creating without hijab, without state approval, and often in complete secrecy.—
Ali Farahmand,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Despite the increasing investment, the program struggles to accommodate small farmers and those, including Fulford, hit by back-to-back storms.—
Rose Schnabel,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
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The Independence tornado is the only one that the weather service has been able to confirm from Tuesday’s storm.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheaval. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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