upheavals
Sudden dramatic shifts
Upheavals is the plural of upheaval—a violent or sudden disruption that overturns an existing state of affairs.
The word suggests forces thrusting upward from below, whether geological or social: The political upheavals of the 1960s transformed American society.
Upheavals can be personal as well as collective: She faced several upheavals in her first year of marriage.
Fundamental structural transformation
- volcanic eruptionExplosive geological discharge
- seismic activityUnderground geological movement
- fault lineTectonic boundary crack
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
landslide · plate tectonics · subduction · magma · continental drift · aftershock · cataclysm · tsunami
Violent disturbance or confusion
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- transformationThorough change in form
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
bereavement · relocation · breakdown · reinvention · loss · trauma · recovery · displacement
Violent governmental overthrow
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
rebellion · uprising · civil unrest · protest · revolt · power shift · destabilization · junta
Thorough change in form
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- cultural shiftBroad change in beliefs
- reformationProcess of improving institutions
- movementChange in position
migration · displacement · diaspora · modernization · industrialization · urbanization · class struggle · emancipation
Prolonged economic decline
- market crashSudden market decline
- depressionProlonged low state
- inflationSustained price level increase
- collapseSudden structural failure
financial crisis · bankruptcy · restructuring · downturn · unemployment · currency devaluation · austerity · bubble burst
tectonic shift
Fundamental structural transformation
- volcanic eruptionExplosive geological discharge
- seismic activityUnderground geological movement
- fault lineTectonic boundary crack
tremor · landslide · plate tectonics · subduction · magma · continental drift · aftershock · cataclysm · tsunami · rifting
turmoil
Violent disturbance or confusion
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- transformationThorough change in form
divorce · bereavement · relocation · breakdown · reinvention · loss · trauma · recovery · displacement · starting over
revolution
Violent governmental overthrow
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
insurrection · rebellion · uprising · civil unrest · protest · revolt · power shift · destabilization · junta · mutiny
transformation
Thorough change in form
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- cultural shiftBroad change in beliefs
- reformationProcess of improving institutions
movement · migration · displacement · diaspora · modernization · industrialization · urbanization · class struggle · emancipation · abolition
recession
Prolonged economic decline
- market crashSudden market decline
- depressionProlonged low state
- inflationSustained price level increase
collapse · financial crisis · bankruptcy · restructuring · downturn · unemployment · currency devaluation · austerity · bubble burst · default
- fluctuationsfluctuations, oscillations, variations, swings, waves
upheavalsstability
Resistance to displacement
stabilities · equilibrium · steadiness · constancy · continuity
- social upheavalDramatic disruption of established order
- political upheavalViolent governmental transformation
- cultural upheavalDramatic shift in values
- military upheavalForcible government seizure by armed forces