upheavals

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "upheavals" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an abrupt and dramatic change, especially one that causes disruption or turmoil. For example, "The nation has seen several political upheavals in its history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The remainder of the speech looked back to the constitutional upheavals of Cameron's first term in office, notably on Europe and devolution.

The Guardian - Opinion

The result follows a series of political upheavals in Africa that, analysts say, suggest incumbents can no longer ignore the will of the people and cling to power indefinitely.

The Guardian

This was followed by a work-to-rule arrangement for the rest of the week (restricting the shifts worked by members of six nursing and support-staff unions to the minimum hours demanded by contract).Compared with the bracing industrial upheavals of the NHS in the 1970s, a walk-out of around 5% looks like a minor event.

The Economist

The upheavals elsewhere in the Arab world are affecting even the Palestinians and by extension the Israelis.

The Economist

In a country where local issues usually dominate voting patterns, foreign policy has surprisingly emerged as the defining issue of the current political debate.Relations with China and Boris Yeltsin's latest upheavals in Russia loom large in this week's national news.

The Economist

On the contrary, like all such upheavals it was hugely costly, not only or principally in money.

The Economist

Investors hope to mint money by pushing companies to change more rapidly in response to such upheavals in their markets.The rewards can be substantial.

The Economist

That may be distasteful to many outsiders but if pay structures better reflect information about the risks such star bankers are taking and if their pay levels do not inflate the compensation of everyone around them, it ought to be defended.The biggest upheavals in pay and in risk management will be in wholesale banking.

The Economist

And if a few more such events can be found, that should settle once and for all whether gamma-ray bursts are merely little local upheavals or the biggest noises in creation.

The Economist

Yet suppressing popular demands produces temporary stability at the cost of occasional devastating upheavals.

The Economist

Leadership upheavals have only fed the cynicism of many Australians towards their politicians.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upheavals", ensure the context clearly indicates the area experiencing disruption, such as political, social, or economic sectors.

Common error

Avoid using "upheavals" when describing minor or insignificant changes; reserve it for situations involving significant disruption and instability.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "upheavals" is as a plural noun, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing significant disruptions, as seen in numerous examples about political and economic shifts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upheavals" functions as a plural noun to describe significant periods of disruption, most commonly in the context of news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in referring to major political, social, or economic shifts. While grammatically correct, it's best reserved for situations involving substantial instability. Alternatives include "tumultuous changes" and "radical transformations". When using "upheavals", ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tumultuous changes

Emphasizes the chaotic and turbulent nature of the changes.

radical transformations

Highlights the fundamental and significant nature of the changes.

major disruptions

Focuses on the disruptive impact and disturbance caused.

seismic shifts

Suggests large-scale, impactful changes comparable to earthquakes.

significant disturbances

Underscores the level of impact and departure from the norm.

violent convulsions

Focuses on the violent, sudden and disruptive nature of the events.

social unrest

Specifies that the upheaval is happening at a societal level.

political turmoil

Centers the upheaval on the political domain.

economic instability

Highlights the economic aspects of the disruption.

drastic shifts

Emphasizes the abrupt and substantial change.

FAQs

How can I use "upheavals" in a sentence?

You can use "upheavals" to describe significant disruptions or periods of instability. For example, "The country experienced significant political upheavals last year".

What are some alternatives to using "upheavals"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "tumultuous changes", "radical transformations", or "major disruptions".

Is "upheavals" formal or informal?

"Upheavals" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is often found in news and media reporting on serious events.

What kind of events typically cause "upheavals"?

"Upheavals" are typically caused by events like political revolutions, economic crises, or major social changes.