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
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Recent Examples of upheaval
Artificial intelligence has unleashed the most upheaval within the industry since Jobs unveiled the first iPhone in 2007.
—
Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Jiang’s own network is in the midst of upheaval, following Skydance’s purchase of Paramount last year.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026
Catholic Charities isn’t the only social service provider trying to maintain services for the most vulnerable in the face of county, state and federal funding upheaval.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
January’s uncertainties do not include any business upheaval after the Iranian conflict began in late March.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Jiang’s own network is in the midst of upheaval, following Skydance’s purchase of Paramount last year.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026
Catholic Charities isn’t the only social service provider trying to maintain services for the most vulnerable in the face of county, state and federal funding upheaval.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
January’s uncertainties do not include any business upheaval after the Iranian conflict began in late March.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheaval
Noun
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That is, up until the 1911 census, after which unrest put the practice on pause.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Promised the workforce Every technology revolution in history — steam, electricity, computers, the internet — has promised the workforce more free time.—
Phil Blair,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Topics of concern included the AI revolution that is transforming how students learn and forcing educators to rethink pedagogy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Droves of sea lions began lounging at the dock shortly in 1989 shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Those who felt the earthquake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The turmoil has included the sudden resignation of then-Supt.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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The Twin Cities’ response to a sweeping federal immigration crackdown that threw communities and local economies into turmoil offers a glimpse of what resilience and solidarity look like in practice.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Internal revolt The clash over Russia and Israel has exposed a divide between the Biennale’s board and members of the international jury, a rotating cast of art world figures which awards the fair’s top prizes.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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The fiercest tax revolts are brewing at the local level.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In England chaos reaches its zenith when a Kentishman named Jack Cade, encouraged by York (who has been sent to put down a revolt in Ireland), mounts an insurrection that plays havoc in the streets of London.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
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Four years later, her law firm helped defend against challenges to Trump’s eligibility for the ballot because of his role in encouraging the insurrection of January 6, 2021.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Though rebels surrendered, the uprising set the stage for the broader push against British occupation and ultimately, the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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For now, however, Rahmani warns that Iran’s domestic conditions may make any mass uprising extraordinarily difficult.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
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Some storms could produce hail larger than 3 inches in diameter, especially with stronger rotating cells.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheaval. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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