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upheaval

upheaval

51 6.9
A sudden big change that causes confusion and problems
  • noun
  • /ʌpˈhiːvəl/
translation icon : convulsión
  • We did not have time to adjust to the startling upheaval around us.
  • political upheaval
  • social upheaval
  • economic upheaval

And it's really major upheaval internally that's taking place inside the child.

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Examples

  • These kids have been through a major upheaval.

  • Those who are destined to live during times of war and social upheaval are victims of cruel fate... unable to find comfort in the past or peace in the present.

  • In point of fact, however, this sort of upheaval is nothing new.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And the absolute corruption led to an upheaval in the church.

  • There's a kind of upheaval now of identity, where we live, who we are and so forth.

  • The housing crisis, domestic in nature, generated financial upheavals on an international scale.

    Academic text (2008)
  • This is a period of huge political upheaval, but at the same time source flowering of art, clothing and the poetry.

  • It caused deep disruption and upheaval, but at the same time it revealed deep truths about humanity.

  • The sudden political upheaval led to widespread protests across the country.

  • After the upheaval caused by the economic crash, many families found themselves struggling to make ends meet.

Synonyms

revolution
vsupheaval
810 4.1

A sudden large change in a country's government or society, often when people rise against leaders

is broader covering any violent major change not only political overthrow
storm
vsupheaval
180 3.7

A strong public reaction of anger or protest

is about sudden major change causing disorder beyond mainly emotional conflict
turmoil
vsupheaval
138 4.8

A time of great confusion and disorder

is a sudden major change or event rather than a long-lasting state
disruption
vsupheaval
126 4.1

A break in the normal flow of activity

is about a sudden major change causing disorder rather than just an interruption
unrest
vsupheaval
126 3.4

A situation where people protest and cause disorder to ask for change

is an eventlike sudden disturbance causing disorder rather than a steady state
instability
vsupheaval
114 5.1

A situation that changes easily and can fail, for example in politics

is an abrupt major disruption event rather than an ongoing tendency
commotion
vsupheaval
73 4.1

A noisy situation when people are excited or confused

is a larger-scale sudden change causing systemic disorder rather than mere noise
uproar
vsupheaval
47 3.9

A loud, confused noise and activity by a group of people

is about deep disruptive change affecting systems rather than loud noisy reaction
disturbance
vsupheaval
45 3.7

A noisy event in a public place that bothers other people

is a major sudden change causing widespread disorder not just a noisy incident
abrupt
vsupheaval
37 4.6

Happening suddenly without warning

is a noun for a major violent change or disturbance not just suddenness
firestorm
vsupheaval
  • Literature
36 6.5

A sudden, strong public reaction of anger or criticism

is about major disruptive change in any area not only public outrage
cataclysm
vsupheaval
19 9.2

A sudden violent event that causes great destruction or change

is about major change causing disorder rather than massive physical destruction
earthquake
vsupheaval
18 4.6

A sudden major change that shocks and upsets a group or system

is a major change causing disorder but not always as shocking or sudden
turbulence
vsupheaval
18 7.7

A time of strong political or social disorder

applies to sudden major change in many areas not only political disorder
all hell broke loose
vsupheaval
  • Informal
16 8.1

A sudden time of chaos and confusion that spreads quickly

is a neutral noun for a major sudden change rather than informal exclamation
flare-up
vsupheaval
11 6.0

A sudden increase in violence, anger, or symptoms

is a major change with longer-lasting disorder rather than a brief incident
dislocation
vsupheaval
11 6.8

A change that stops the normal way a system or community works

involves major sudden change causing disorder rather than mere rearrangement
agitation
vsupheaval
  • Literature
9 4.6

Public protest and unrest that asks for change in society

is a sudden violent major change rather than ongoing organized protest
tempest
vsupheaval
7 7.4

A strong public argument or time of great trouble

is used for real major changes rather than only as dramatic metaphor
seismic shift
vsupheaval
3 6.0

A very large and sudden change in ideas, beliefs, or ways of doing things

is broader for major changes across domains not only ideas or policies
convulsion
vsupheaval
  • Literature
3 7.5

A sudden violent disturbance in a country or society

is general for major change not limited to political or social shaking
8.5

A sudden violent crowd event that causes confusion and danger

is a larger-scale change causing disorder rather than only noisy confusion
upsurgence
vsupheaval
9.8

A sudden violent action by people against those in power

is wider covering many kinds of sudden major change beyond rebellions
Sturm und Drang
vsupheaval
9.9

A time of strong emotion and major social or political conflict

is the general term for sudden major change rather than a named cultural movement
all bedlam broke loose
vsupheaval
  • Informal
9.9

Sudden noisy chaos starts

is a general term for large disruptive change not an informal phrase
perturbance
vsupheaval
  • Specialized
8.5

A change that makes a system or process work differently than usual

is focused on sudden major change causing disorder not small technical disruptions
tempestuousness
vsupheaval
9.9

A strong, stormy feeling that causes sudden emotional change

is an actual sudden major disturbance or event rather than a descriptive quality

Antonyms

363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

52 1.0

A quiet, peaceful feeling that helps you stay steady

How Disruptive

catastrophe
176 7.0
chaos
438 3.1
upheaval
51 6.9
turmoil
138 4.8
disturbance
  • Specialized
80 4.1
change
1.1

Surface Forms

upheaval singular
upheavals plural

Morphology

upheaval = upheave (semi-transparent) = up + heave + al

Formation from 'upheave' + '-al' is clear, but the common sense 'sudden violent change or disturbance' is a metaphorical extension from 'lifting up' and may not be fully inferable by all learners.

Etymology

Upheaval comes from the parts up and heave, where heave means 'to lift with force'. So an upheaval is like everything being violently lifted or turned over, which is why it means a sudden, major change or disturbance.