upheaval

/ˈʌpˌhivəl/

/əpˈhivəl/

Other forms: upheavals

Upheaval means a violent or sudden change. You might talk about an upheaval in government following an election where many incumbents are replaced.

Upheaval is a geological term for the upward displacement of the earth's crust that has stretched to include a change in power or ideas. If you suddenly found out your favorite teacher was running a pyramid scheme and had escaped to a Caribbean island, you might experience an upheaval in your attitude toward teachers in general.

Definitions of upheaval

1. noun

   a violent disturbance
   synonyms: convulsion, turmoil

   type of:

   commotion, disruption, disturbance, flutter, hoo-ha, hoo-hah, hurly burly, kerfuffle, to-do

   a disorderly outburst or tumult
2. noun

   disturbance usually in protest
   synonyms: agitation, excitement, hullabaloo, turmoil

   type of:

   disturbance

   the act of disturbing something or someone; setting something in motion
3. noun

   a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally)
   synonyms: Sturm und Drang, turbulence

   types:

   agitation, ferment, fermentation, tempestuousness, unrest

   a state of agitation or turbulent change or development

   roller coaster

   anything characterized by abrupt and extreme changes (especially up and down)

   violence

   a turbulent state resulting in injuries and destruction etc.

   rage

   violent state of the elements

   type of:

   disorder

   a disturbance of the peace or of public order
4. noun

   (geology) a rise of land to a higher elevation (as in the process of mountain building)
   synonyms: uplift, upthrow, upthrust

   type of:

   ascension, ascent, rise, rising

   a movement upward