tumult

tu·mult

noun \ˈtü-ˌməlt, ˈtyü- also ˈtə-\

Definition of TUMULT

1

a : disorderly agitation or milling about of a crowd usually with uproar and confusion of voices : commotion

b : a turbulent uprising : riot

2

: hubbub, din

3

a : violent agitation of mind or feelings

b : a violent outburst

Examples of TUMULT

1. We had to shout to be heard over the tumult.
2. The country was in tumult.
3. Her mind was in a tumult of emotions.

Origin of TUMULT

Middle English tumulte, from Anglo-French, from Latin tumultus; perhaps akin to Sanskrit tumula noisy

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to TUMULT

Synonyms

ado, alarums and excursions, ballyhoo, blather, bluster, bobbery, bother, bustle, clatter, clutter [chiefly dialect], coil, corroboree [Australian], disturbance, do [chiefly dialect], foofaraw, fun, furor, furore, fuss, helter-skelter, hoo-ha (also hoo-hah), hoopla, hubble-bubble, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly, hurly-burly, hurricane, hurry, hurry-scurry (or hurry-skurry), kerfuffle [chiefly British], moil, pandemonium, pother, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, splore [Scottish], squall, stew, stir, storm, to-do, commotion, turmoil, uproar, welter, whirl, williwaw, zoo

Related Words

cacophony, clamor, din, howl, hue and cry, noise, outcry, racket, roar; disorder, unrest, upheaval; eruption, flare-up, flurry, flutter, outbreak, outburst; brawl, fracas, fray, hassle, melee (also mêlée), scuffle; dither, fever, fret, lather, tizzy

Near Antonyms

calm, hush, peace, quiet, quietude, rest, stillness, tranquillity (or tranquility); order, orderliness

Rhymes with TUMULT

adult, consult, exult, incult, indult, insult, occult, penult, result