upheaval
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for upheaval, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sudden, dramatic change that disrupts the normal state of things.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use upheaval
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From upheave + the noun-forming suffix -al.
Full origin of 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.