UPHEAVE Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

upheave

verb

ˌəp-ˈhēv

Definition of upheave

as in to heave

to lift with effort exactly how the builders of the pyramids at Giza upheaved such massive blocks of stone remains a mystery

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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 upheave Manchester by the Sea follows Massachusetts handyman Lee (Casey Affleck), whose life is upheaved by overwhelming personal tragedies. — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2023 While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continually pledged to upheave the country's judiciary, numerous protests have been seen against the action in cities across Israel. — Justin Klawans, The Week, 12 Feb. 2023 Watch Out For The Big Grrrls managed to upheave multi-year reality winner RuPaul’s Drag Race. — Rivea Ruff, Essence, 12 Sep. 2022 However, after finishes of third and second in the past two seasons, Kamara believes Pochettino sees no reason to upheave his squad, despite critics arguing the Lilywhites could fall behind their rivals. — SI.com, 28 July 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upheave

Verb

Facing third-and-16 from the Indiana 36-yard line, Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea was forced out of the pocket and heaved a pass toward the end zone intended for Hunter.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Air pockets trapped between overlapping leaves moderate the soil temperature and slow heat transfer, buffering against the freeze-thaw cycles that heave soil, fracture plant roots and expose beneficial soil microbes to lethal cold.

— Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of heave

Verb

The group and left-wing student organisations had urged supporters to gather at the Central Park in New Delhi’s busy Connaught Place shopping and food district on Friday evening to wave and hoist the national flag.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
The group and left-wing student organizations had urged supporters to gather at the Central Park in New Delhi’s busy Connaught Place shopping and food district on Friday evening to wave and hoist the national flag.

— Reuters, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of hoist

Browse Nearby Words

upheavals

upheave

upheaved

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“Upheave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upheave. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of upheave

verb

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