German word

Umbruch

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊmˌbʁʊx/

Meaning

  • masculine nounupheaval

Example

Nach der Revolution gab es einen Umbruch in der Gesellschaft.

After the revolution, there was an upheaval in society.

Illustration for Umbruch (upheaval)

More examples

Die Digitalisierung hat in vielen Branchen einen wirtschaftlichen Umbruch ausgelöst.

Digitalization has triggered economic upheaval in many industries.

Core concept

A settled pattern is turned over at its breaking point, leaving the next pattern to take shape.

Common phrases

  • wirtschaftlicher Umbruch

    economic upheaval

  • technologischer Umbruch

    technological upheaval

Similar words

Wandel: A gradual change in a state or situation over time.
Reform: A planned change to improve institutions or laws.
Revolution: A rapid, fundamental overthrow of a political or social order.
Umwälzung: A large-scale, forceful replacement of social or economic structures.

Definition in German

Tiefgreifende, oft plötzliche Veränderung von Ordnung, Strukturen oder Zuständen.

Word origin

The noun comes from umbrechen, whose parts combine um- and brechen, and its figurative sense extends physical breaking or turning to major change.

Usage tips

  • In typography, Umbruch refers to the arrangement of text into lines or pages, so context determines its meaning.

Other meanings

  • transitionnoun
  • line breaknoun

Opposites

  • Stillstandstagnationnoun
  • Beständigkeitstabilitynoun

Related words

  • Umbruchprozesstransformation processnoun
  • Umbruchdynamikupheaval dynamicsnoun

Word lists with this word