turbulent

tur·bu·lent

adjective \-lənt\

: moving in an irregular or violent way

: full of confusion, violence, or disorder : not stable or steady

Full Definition of TURBULENT

1

:  causing unrest, violence, or disturbance <a set of mischievous, turbulent rebels — Anne Brönte>

2

a :  characterized by agitation or tumult :  tempestuous <a turbulent marriage>

b :  exhibiting physical turbulence <turbulent air>

— tur·bu·lent·ly adverb

Examples of TURBULENT

1. Turbulent waters caused the boat to capsize.
2. The sixties were a turbulent period in American history.

Origin of TURBULENT

Latin turbulentus, from turba confusion, crowd — more at turbid

First Known Use: 1538

Related to TURBULENT

Synonyms

bang-bang, blood-and-guts, convulsive, cyclonic, explosive, ferocious, fierce, furious, hammer-and-tongs, hot, knock-down, drag-out (or knock-down-and-drag-out), paroxysmal, rabid, rough, stormy, tempestuous, tumultuous, violent, volcanic

Antonyms

nonviolent, peaceable, peaceful

Related Words

barbarous, brutal, savage, vicious; antagonistic, hostile; aggressive, assertive, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, gladiatorial, pugnacious, quarrelsome, truculent; combustible, volatile; agitated, frantic, frenzied, mad; cataclysmal (or cataclysmic), destructive, ruinous

Near Antonyms

calm, halcyon, pacific, serene, tranquil; nonbelligerent, unaggressive

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr