Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun earthquake

2 senses of earthquake

Sense 1
earthquake, quake, temblor, seism -- (shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane of from volcanic activity)
       => geological phenomenon -- (a natural phenomenon involving the structure or composition of the earth)

Sense 2
earthquake -- (a disturbance that is extremely disruptive; "selling the company caused an earthquake among the employees")
       => disturbance, disruption, commotion, flutter, hurly burly, to-do, hoo-ha, hoo-hah, kerfuffle -- (a disorderly outburst or tumult; "they were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused")