upheaval

[uhp-hee-vuhl]

noun

1. strong or violent change or disturbance, as in a society.

   the upheaval of war.

   Synonyms: turmoil, disorder, disruption

2. an act of upheaving, especially of a part of the earth's crust.

3. the state of being upheaved.

4. Geology.,  an upward warping of a part of the earth's crust, forcing certain areas into a relatively higher position than before.

upheaval

/ ʌpˈhiːvəl /

noun

1. a strong, sudden, or violent disturbance, as in politics, social conditions, etc

2. geology another word for uplift

Word History and Origins

Origin of upheaval¹

First recorded in 1830–40; upheave + -al ²

Example Sentences

Roughly a third of U.S. presidents have called on the statutes at some point — but history also shows the law has been used only in moments of extraordinary crisis and political upheaval.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The continued upheaval among tech businesses means many companies might not be on anyone’s radar, and some might not exist yet.

Read more on Barron's

The island has gone through a series of political upheavals in recent years.

Read more on BBC

He has ruled with an iron fist, repressing all political and armed opposition, and holding onto power through social upheaval, economic disparity and separatist violence.

Read more on Barron's

The upheaval in the former French colony off the coast of southern Africa echoes a series of protests that have felled governments in Bangladesh and Nepal, and are causing unease from Indonesia to Morocco.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cataclysm 
• catastrophe 
• disaster 
• disorder 
• disruption 
• disturbance 
• eruption 
• explosion 
• ferment 
• outbreak 
• revolution 
• shakeout 
• temblor 
• tremor 
• tumult 
• turmoil