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 earthquake's epicenter was roughly 7 miles northeast of Walker Lake and occurred at a depth of 6 miles. — Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Shallow earthquakes do lead to more shaking being felt at the surface, though. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026 The earthquake was felt in Panama City and in San José, the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, according to Reuters. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 To have measles spreading so aggressively again now, a quarter century after this momentous occasion, is not some unfortunate but unavoidable expression of nature, like an earthquake. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 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
  • Residents reported feeling the quake in a couple of cities, including Goleta and Santa Barbara, according to the USGS DYFI report.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Light to moderate shaking was reported in the vicinity of the quake, with reports that the quake was felt as far east as Palmdale, as far west as Santa Barbara and as far south as Inglewood.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of quake
Noun
  • The urgency of their push comes as major European companies undergo huge job losses — Volkswagen plans to cut 100,000 workers — which experts have said could drive political upheaval.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The turnaround has revived some fans’ hopes, but years of coaching and front-office upheaval and the departure of popular players have eroded trust.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of upheaval
Noun
  • Fewer than a dozen people from as far away as Walnut Creek and Stockton immediately reported feeling the tremor to the agency.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The disease is marked by symptoms including tremor, stiffness, slow movement, gait and balance problems.
    — Deborah Day, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of tremor
Noun
  • India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines are among the countries that are most exposed to food security risk from the super El Niño and also face the highest risk of civil unrest due to rising prices, Verisk Maplecroft said.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • French youths have been demonstrating over poor conditions at school buildings, and analysts expect unrest to intensify after a teenager’s hand was blown off by a riot police sting grenade.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of unrest
Noun
  • The revolution has been crushed, tens of thousands remain imprisoned, and economic hardship has broken the backs of Egyptians.
    — Abdelrahman ElGendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The roots of that revolution were first planted in that warm soil by Cooke, who died in 1997, and Rothenberg six decades ago.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of revolution
Noun
  • Whether windows have been damaged by a recent storm or have simply reached the end of their useful life, a coordinated replacement project can improve comfort, energy efficiency and curb appeal while helping homeowners prepare for future weather.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond the microbes, mudflats, mangrove forests, and salt marshes help protect shorelines from erosion and storm surges.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of storm

Browse Nearby Words

earthly
earthquake
earthquakes
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Cite this Entry

“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earthquake. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on earthquake

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about earthquake

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