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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 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
-
Fuller had been watching the Continent’s social unrest for some time, and writing about it in the Tribune.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
-
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
-
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
-
The artificial intelligence revolution has reached a critical inflection point.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Buying earthquake insurance can protect homeowners.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
-
The Mount Kinabalu earthquake of 2015 claimed 18 lives, including Singaporean students and teachers who had traveled to Borneo on a school expedition.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Market turmoil Stock futures are down Friday morning in the wake of escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.—
Sara Salinas,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
-
Related article The world’s second-largest gold storage suddenly has very long lines to withdraw bars As bonds have been volatile and the dollar has weakened amid tariff turmoil, weird investments like silver and platinum have emerged as a way to hedge against the tremendous uncertainty.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
Five days later, after a revolt, he was reinstated.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
-
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
-
Although Tarrio himself was not in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, the Department of Justice viewed him as one of the masterminds of the insurrection.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2025
-
The Act forbids the U.S. military, including the National Guard, from participating in civilian law enforcement, unless there is an invasion or an insurrection — and there is not.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
The barricade at the heart of the novel and the musical is actually a scene from the savagely repressed uprising of June 1848.—
Graham Robb,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
-
Those runs capped a seven-run, ninth-inning uprising that turned a 10-4 laugher into an 11-10 setback.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share