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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of upheaval
One time while covering the political upheaval in Venezuela, my cameraman and I were detained for four hours in the hot sun by Venezuela’s feared secret police, the Sebin.
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Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
Indeed, cash is needed all the more at the outset of a new geopolitical upheaval.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Panelist Autumn Saxton-Ross, from National Recreation and Parks Association, talked about the importance of staying true to your values during times of upheaval.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Evans’ historic eight terms as the first Black chief judge saw the county through reforms, changes and upheavals including the elimination of cash bail and the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upheaval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheaval
Noun
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Some other reports put the death toll from unrest much higher, with TIME citing a doctor in Tehran as saying at least 217 people had been killed, for instance.—
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In a statement broadcast by state TV, a security force known for quelling unrest accused terrorists of targeting military and law enforcement bases over the past two nights.—
Noun
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The young republic’s survival hinged on distancing itself from a Europe convulsed by revolution and war.—
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One early muse-like figure is Martin Luther, who in 1524 sparked a revolution by challenging the church’s influence on commerce.—
Noun
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It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.—
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Thirty-two years ago, freeways fell, buildings flattened and local communities were reshaped forever by the earthquake.—
Noun
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There could be some relationship turmoil popping up for you now and in the weeks ahead, Gemini.—
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Amid the turmoil, former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes Burrow is wasting his prime years in Cincinnati.—
Noun
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Critiques from the American right, which lament the film’s timely depictions of a police state, immigrant internment camps and leftist revolt, read like ChatGPT essays programmed to write in the voice of Karen.—
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The film, which is Palestine’s entry for the Best International Feature category of the Oscars, tells the story of the Arab revolt against British colonial rule in Palestine in the 1930s.—
Noun
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The host noted the date of the insurrection, following President Joe Biden's win over Trump in the 2020 election for president, early on.—
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In the days immediately following the insurrection, the country seemed almost unified in agreement that what had happened at the Capitol was violent and dark.—
Noun
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There was something in the beginning at least with that kind of uprising.—
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Many of the protesters in Iran’s 2026 uprising have rallied behind former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who has lived in exile since 1979.—
Noun
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There is potential for a coastal storm Thursday and or Friday, but confidence is low.—
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There’s roughly two and a half months left of the winter season, which means that there are plenty of chilly evenings, snow storms, and freeze warnings to look forward to.—
Cite this Entry
“Upheaval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheaval. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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