earthquake

noun

ˈərth-ˌkwāk How to pronounce earthquake (audio)
Definition of earthquakenext
1
as in quake
a shaking of the earth the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order) the election of the socialist candidate caused a political earthquake that nearly led to a military coup

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of earthquake The goal post for the fund is set at $100 million with $500,000 going to children whose education has been impacted by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, the musician shared in a social media video. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026 Powerful twin earthquakes have killed 32 people and injured more than 700, the nation’s interim president said on June 25, after the massive shocks collapsed entire buildings and sent people running in panic. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 July 2026 As a reminder, the Mission San Juan Capistrano tour ends at the ruins of what’s now called the Great Stone Church, which collapsed in an 1812 earthquake that killed 40 Acjachemen worshippers. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 Facing growing criticism over military restrictions in disaster zones, Venezuela’s interim government on Thursday defended its decision to militarize the state of La Guaira as the death toll from last week’s earthquakes climbed to 2,595. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for earthquake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earthquake
  1. quake
  2. upheaval
  3. tremor
  4. unrest
  5. revolution
  6. storm
Noun
  • Decades of Hollywood empire-building ended with a quake in 2017 when Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch decided to sell much of his Fox entertainment holdings amid the rise of Netflix and other tech giants.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • And six days after the quakes, rescuers brought out a toddler alive—a reminder that hope in these operations is not a sentiment but a procedure, sustained one careful excavation at a time.
    — Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of quake
Noun
  • Was came from a working-class industrial city, making music reflective of Detroit’s technological upheaval and economic neglect.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Unlike larger corporate counterparts, SMEs don't always have the financial reserves to comfortably absorb geopolitical upheaval and rapid inflation.
    — Rupert Lee-Browne, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of upheaval
Noun
  • Nearly 2,000 people are confirmed dead, with tens of thousands still missing following the tremors.
    — Ted Scouten, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Many remain unwilling to return to homes that survived the initial earthquakes but may now be structurally compromised by the continuing tremors.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026
Definition of tremor
Noun
  • Chevron benefits from unrest in the Middle East and other factors that can elevate energy prices.
    — Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Shows of extravagance like these have not been met with kindness in a world torn by war, inflation, soaring gas prices and political unrest.
    — Marc Malkin, Variety, 2 July 2026
Definition of unrest
Noun
  • The result, historians say, has become a centralized, more politicized spectacle, marking the national milestone as a celebration of an imperial presidency rather than a revolution from kingly rule.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The company that manufactures the hardware powering the AI revolution acknowledges that the technology is more expensive than the people it was supposed to augment.
    — Jemma Green, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of revolution
Noun
  • Eagle avoided the brunt of the storm as the crew navigated toward open ocean.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Local Idaho agencies have spent days addressing storm damage caused by a low-pressure system from the Gulf of Alaska that brought winds over 50 mph, lightning, hail and more than an inch of rain to some areas.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
Definition of storm

Browse Nearby Words

earthly
earthquake
earthquakes
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Cite this Entry

“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earthquake. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on earthquake

Nglish: Translation of earthquake for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about earthquake

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