upheaval
Americannoun
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strong or violent change or disturbance, as in a society.
the upheaval of war.
- Synonyms:
- turmoil, disorder, disruption
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an act of upheaving, especially of a part of the earth's crust.
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the state of being upheaved.
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Geology. an upward warping of a part of the earth's crust, forcing certain areas into a relatively higher position than before.
noun
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a strong, sudden, or violent disturbance, as in politics, social conditions, etc
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geology another word for uplift
Etymology
Origin of upheaval
Explanation
Upheaval means a violent or sudden change. You might talk about an upheaval in government following an election where many incumbents are replaced. Upheaval is a geological term for the upward displacement of the earth's crust that has stretched to include a change in power or ideas. If you suddenly found out your favorite teacher was running a pyramid scheme and had escaped to a Caribbean island, you might experience an upheaval in your attitude toward teachers in general.
Vocabulary lists containing upheaval
Brace Yourself: Earthquake Words
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Mayhem! Chaos! Pandemonium!
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Bridge to Terabithia
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some local environmentalists said Segura’s departure brings more upheaval for a city already grappling with worsening climate challenges.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
“The prospect of a period of political upheaval is taking its toll in the U.K.,” said Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell.
From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026
Once events like that carry odds and payouts, prediction looks less like information than speculation on upheaval.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026
Wood's absence comes at a time of significant upheaval in England's pace bowling department.
From BBC • May 2, 2026
Later that evening, as I waited with the other winners to be called to the podium for the medal ceremony, I thought about all the upheaval and change I’d just been through.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
