earthquake

noun

ˈərth-ˌkwāk How to pronounce earthquake (audio)
Definition of earthquakenext
1
as in quake
a shaking of the earth the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order) the election of the socialist candidate caused a political earthquake that nearly led to a military coup

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of earthquake The recent earthquakes, like those that hit Colombia and Venezuela, added another hardship to Latin America. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 After the earthquakes, American Airlines transported relief supplies to Venezuela on a Boeing 737. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that about 10 percent of Chocó’s population — 69,000 people — were affected or displaced by the earthquake, per AP. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026 Many residents had spent years rebuilding their lives after Nepal’s catastrophic 2015 earthquake, which killed more than 8,000 people. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for earthquake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earthquake
  1. quake
  2. upheaval
  3. tremor
  4. unrest
  5. revolution
  6. storm
Noun
  • The quake caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and roads, while also disrupting food supplies across multiple areas.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That quake was also located about 3 miles outside of Bedminster.
    — Katie Houlis, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of quake
Noun
  • The landscape stayed quiet for a while, until a series of upheavals in the American League West.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Artificial intelligence has unleashed the greatest upheaval within the industry since Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone in 2007.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of upheaval
Noun
  • The instruments can move with greater flexibility than the human hand, while the system filters out natural hand tremors that could affect delicate movements.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But in some cases, West Nile can reach the brain and cause extreme headaches, meningitis, tremors, convulsions and paralysis.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of tremor
Noun
  • Tibet is a Chinese autonomous region that has gone through cycles of protest, unrest and government repression since China asserted control over the region in 1951.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • What followed was at least one night of unrest in Minneapolis.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of unrest
Noun
  • During its socialist revolution, the government kicked out many foreign oil companies.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Two years after the 2011 Egyptian revolution, then 17-year-old Abdelrahman ElGendy and his father were arrested for recording a protest on the streets of Cairo.
    — Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of revolution
Noun
  • The storm is forecast to bring flooding rain, strong winds, storm surge, and possible tornadoes to the region.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Late one August afternoon in a Manhattan editing suite, with thunder and lightning raging outside, a storm was also brewing inside.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of storm

Browse Nearby Words

earthly
earthquake
earthquakes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earthquake. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on earthquake

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about earthquake

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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