Thesaurus results for UPHEAVAL

upheaval

noun

ˌəp-ˈhē-vəl

Definition of upheaval

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

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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 Was came from a working-class industrial city, making music reflective of Detroit’s technological upheaval and economic neglect. — Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 But the corresponding upheaval is still catastrophic for any surrounding planets, which either get swallowed up by the expanding star, or drift into wider orbits as the star’s gravity weakens—some are flung out from the system entirely. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 1 July 2026 The traditional boundaries between work and life dissolved as workers tried to maintain productivity through economic upheaval, all while decontaminating groceries and managing their children’s online classes. — Tess Lawrence, Harvard Business Review, 1 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 See All Example Sentences for upheaval

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheaval

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

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
It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.

— CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of earthquake

Noun

The landlocked mineral-rich nation is facing one of its deepest political crises in decades as economic turmoil, nationwide protests and a battle over the country’s future threaten to reshape the balance of power in South America.

— Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Political turmoil intensifies as resignations, Russia’s rising threat and pressure from a skeptical United States leave Britain’s next leader to prove the plan can truly safeguard Europe.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of turmoil

Noun

The people ended up burning down the house of one of the tax collectors, prompting President George Washington to raise the first federal army against them and quickly quell the revolt.

— Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026
At once pugnaciously combative and unreservedly sentimental, Landon chose to take the series out with a commentary on class revolt.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

Definition of revolt

Noun

The pair took a big swing in 2022 around the first anniversary of the Capitol insurrection on January 6.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
The violence, described as a failed insurrection by President Cyril Ramaphosa, vandalized more than 160 shopping malls, led to tens of thousands of job losses, and cost the economy roughly $3 billion.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of insurrection

Noun

Johnny Knoxville faces a summer camp uprising as his new comedy heads to theaters.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
Egypt’s tourism has started to recover after years of years of political turmoil and violence following the 2011 uprising, as well as the coronavirus pandemic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of uprising

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

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

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Synonyms of upheaval

noun

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