upheaval

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A state of violent disturbance and disorder, generally in politics or social conditions.

   The county-wide upheaval contributed to government instability.

2. 2
   noun

   A disruptive change, from one state to another.

   Scotland's bottleneck junction between the West and East Coast main lines at Carstairs will be the site of major upheaval until the end of May, while £164 million worth of improvements are carried out.

3. 3
   noun

   A sudden violent upset, disruption or convulsion.

   Since that upheaval Wales have won just once in seven games, beating Northern Ireland in the Nations Cup last May.

4. 4
   noun

   disturbance usually in protest

5. 5
   noun

   (geology) a rise of land to a higher elevation (as in the process of mountain building)

6. 6
   noun

   a violent disturbance

7. 7
   noun

   The process of being heaved upward, especially the raising of part of the earth's crust.

Etymology

From upheave + -al.