upheaval
uhp-HEE-vuhl
Upheaval (noun) means a sudden, dramatic change that disrupts the normal state of things. Example: “The company went through massive upheaval after the merger.”
noun
1
A sudden, dramatic change that disrupts the normal state of things.
"The company went through massive upheaval after the merger."
"Political upheaval swept through the region in the 1990s."
2
The geological process of land being pushed or raised upward.
"The mountain range formed through millions of years of upheaval."
How to use upheaval
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big, disruptive shake-up — whether in society, a person's life, or the earth itself.
Common pairings
social upheaval
political upheaval
emotional upheaval
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Word forms
- Plural
- upheavals
Fill the gap
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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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