1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
in the tumult of the evacuation from the coast, we accidentally left on the television, which was of course tuned to the local newscast breathlessly reporting on the hurricane we were fleeing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the political tumult that swept the American colonies in the late 1700s
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in roar
a violent shouting
went to the window to see what the great tumult was and discovered a crowd of demonstrators marching down the street
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tumult
The tumult of the window and the team’s start to the season exacerbated the mood.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Through this tumult, three myths pervade the global energy market, misleading everyone—from diplomats and military strategists, to economists and tech titans, to CEOs and consumers—about the state of global dependence on Russian energy supply.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
The powerful Murdaughs are thrown into tumult when Paul is involved in a fatal boating accident — and their connections to other deaths become public.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
The subsequent online tumult drove more people and organizations into the streets.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tumult
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Through this tumult, three myths pervade the global energy market, misleading everyone—from diplomats and military strategists, to economists and tech titans, to CEOs and consumers—about the state of global dependence on Russian energy supply.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
The powerful Murdaughs are thrown into tumult when Paul is involved in a fatal boating accident — and their connections to other deaths become public.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
The subsequent online tumult drove more people and organizations into the streets.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tumult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumult
Noun
-
But these aren’t the only cups causing a commotion.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Actual Vancouverites barely stood by to watch the commotion.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After three years of upheaval — capped by last year’s unpopular relocation to Las Vegas — the 2025 AFM marks the event’s return to Los Angeles, with a new (and hopefully permanent) home at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Century City.—
Kevin Cassidy,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
-
These upheavals have always caused tensions, and those tensions have shaped the American social order in many ways.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The other funnymen of the time—Milton Berle with his lewd suggestiveness, Jackie Gleason with his baleful roar—did the same shtick over and over.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Finally, with the boom of a cannon and the roar of the crowd, each team member and coach rubs Howard’s Rock for luck before hurtling down the hill toward the home sideline.—
Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Kp is an index used to indicate the severity of the global magnetic disturbances in near-Earth space, NOAA said.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This could result in noise disturbances late into the night.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
However, unrest still broke out at the game on Thursday, with anti-Israel protesters in the vicinity.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Tanzania is one of several African countries to hold disputed elections this year that have resulted in unrest.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Should the Tigers end up missing a bowl game, the noise will grow much louder.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Their noise got loudest at night when the city became quiet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There could be some relationship turmoil popping up for you now and in the weeks ahead, Gemini.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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Amid the turmoil, former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes Burrow is wasting his prime years in Cincinnati.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
United Methodist leadership with the bishop’s office preached to students, who welcomed the leaders with excited howls.—
Liam Adams,
Nashville Tennessean,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Frehley picks up on the drummer’s simmering syncopation hereand unleashes a banshee-like howl of a solo that still clings to the band’s rhythm.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tumult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumult. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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