upheaval
Upheaval (noun) means a sudden, dramatic change that disrupts the normal state of things. Example: “The company went through massive upheaval after the merger.”
How to Use Upheaval
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big, disruptive shake-up — whether in society, a person's life, or the earth itself.
Word Forms
upheavals plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company went through massive _____ after the merger.
Etymology
From upheave + the noun-forming suffix -al.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for upheaval
See all rhymes for upheaval →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “upheaval” mean?
The word “upheaval” means a sudden, dramatic change that disrupts the normal state of things. In plain terms, a big, disruptive shake-up — whether in society, a person's life, or the earth itself.
How do you pronounce “upheaval”?
“Upheaval” is pronounced uhp-HEE-vuhl (/ʌpˈhiːvəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “upheaval” in a sentence?
Here is “upheaval” used in a sentence: “The company went through massive upheaval after the merger.”
What part of speech is “upheaval”?
“Upheaval” is a noun.
Is “upheaval” a common word?
“Upheaval” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “upheaval” have?
“Upheaval” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden, dramatic change that disrupts the normal state of things.
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