upheaval

Pronunciation: /ʌpˈhi.vəl/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally)
  2. noun a violent disturbance
  3. noun (geology) a rise of land to a higher elevation (as in the process of mountain building)

Etymology

From upheave + -al.

In classic literature

Synonyms

turbulence, Sturm und Drang

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
disorder
Narrower (hyponyms)
violence, roller coaster, agitation

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