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

also : an instance of this

Synonyms

• bouleversement
• cataclysm
• convulsion
• earthquake
• paroxysm
• storm
• tempest
• tumult
• uproar

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

Social Security Administration leadership upheaval The Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, is not a federal department. —Lorie Konish, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2025

Of course, the underlying conditions that created a seismic social upheaval to which those individuals and institutions are responding did not materialize overnight. —Noah Rothman, National Review, 27 Feb. 2025

But, this season has been dominated by injuries and roster upheaval. —Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2025

O'Donnell's departure follows significant upheaval at the IRS, including the layoff of roughly 7,000 probationary employees, mostly in compliance roles. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for upheaval

• coeval
• medieval
• primeval
• retrieval
• evil
• weevil

Kids 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