upheave

[ uhp-heev ]

verb (used with object)

, up·heaved or up·hove, up·heav·ing.

1. to heave or lift up; raise up or aloft.
2. to force or throw up violently or with much power, as an erupting volcano.
3. to cause a major disturbance or disorder in:

   The revolution upheaved the government, causing its leaders to flee the country.

verb (used without object)

, up·heaved or up·hove, up·heav·ing.

1. to rise upward, especially extensively or powerfully.

upheave

/ ʌpˈhiːv /

verb

1. to heave or rise upwards
2. geology to thrust (land) upwards or (of land) to be thrust upwards
3. tr to disturb violently; throw into disorder

Other Words From

• up·heaver noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of upheave¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, upheave is from the Middle English word upheven. See up-, heave

Example Sentences

“If I had known, I’d have had a heart attack,” he said also, a reference to a point when things went especially upheaved.

From Washington Post

But as other states have led the way in upheaving their systems, Washington has been slow to follow suit.

From Seattle Times

A little later, he sees that the disk had disappeared and “in its place was a billow of blood, for so it looked, a vast upheaved billow of glowing blood surging on the horizon.”

From Washington Post

“She can claim credit for upheaving what is perceived as corruption or ethical issues in state politics, the very thing Mike Parson represents as governor.”

From Seattle Times

The first time I came to Hammars, I was barely a year old and knew nothing about the great and upheaving love that had brought me there.

From The New Yorker

Related Words

• boost
• climb
• hoist
• pick up
• raise
• rise
• soar