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
a period of social upheaval
also
: an instance of this
one of human history's greatest upheavals
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
When family members or friends experience an upheaval that could equal a major job loss, location change or loss of schooling, consider advising them of the immediate need for a quality law firm.
—
Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone
february 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
Over the last several years, inflation, domestic conflict, economic uncertainty, and political upheaval have made many Americans feel more pessimistic about the future.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
The council was established in April 2024, nearly three years after President Jovenel Moïse was killed at his residence, throwing Haiti into widespread upheaval.
—Evens Sanon, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
While Britain is suffering perhaps the most dramatic upheaval in the wake of the latest batch of Epstein files, association with the billionaire is popping up across the globe like a pandemic of questionable judgment.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
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Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone
february 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
Over the last several years, inflation, domestic conflict, economic uncertainty, and political upheaval have made many Americans feel more pessimistic about the future.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
The council was established in April 2024, nearly three years after President Jovenel Moïse was killed at his residence, throwing Haiti into widespread upheaval.
—Evens Sanon, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
While Britain is suffering perhaps the most dramatic upheaval in the wake of the latest batch of Epstein files, association with the billionaire is popping up across the globe like a pandemic of questionable judgment.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upheaval. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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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