tumultuous

adjective

tu̇-ˈməl-chə-wəs How to pronounce tumultuous (audio)
Definition of tumultuousnext
1
as in turbulent
marked by sudden or violent disturbance one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of the region

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2
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements watched the tumultuous weather from the dry safety of our house

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3
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity after a tumultuous day of trading, the stock market was down 500 points

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tumultuous Samuel Eto’o, who recently told CNN Sports in an exclusive interview that Infantino hasn’t done anything wrong and actually called for the controversial plan that caused this tumultuous situation to be revisited. — Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 It’s been a tumultuous year at the airport for hourly wage workers who toil there. — David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 In the tumultuous, post-COVID global landscape, there’s something fundamentally frivolous about getting wrapped up in your own personal dramas. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026 The pair's tumultuous relationship was marked by abuse allegations and a jail stint for Hickerson. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tumultuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumultuous
  1. turbulent
  2. rough
  3. violent
  4. ferocious
  5. fierce
  6. furious
Adjective
  • Marrow Deep at times feels turbulent, ornate, measured, chaotic, and cathartic.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Matthews addressed The Bachelorette lead’s turbulent relationship with Mortensen, which encompasses a history of domestic violence.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • Other downsides to sulfates include leaving hair feeling dry, brittle, and rough, which Trisler says can be even more damaging if your hair is already compromised.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Hsu’s argument for why the near-monochrome restaurant doesn’t go flat is that the palette itself runs on tension, with the statement-making veined marble behind the point-of-sale area set against rough plaster walls.
    — Alexis Benveniste, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • Hong Kong’s position as a once-outspoken corner of China has been upended in recent years by a national security crackdown following huge and often violent democracy protests that convulsed the city in 2019.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • New documents presented Thursday also illustrate a history of allegations of racist and violent behavior by Austin Metcalf and his twin brother, Hunter, among the character evidence that was not presented at the trial.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • After surviving a ferocious first half to trail only 13-12, the All Blacks' resolve hardened by new coach Dave Rennie and age-old ability to produce something from nothing turned a tense contest into a rout by five tries to South Africa's one.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • One track consists of her ferocious, transfixing, concept works, which plunge the gathered into the heart and soul of extreme historical and cultural experiences.
    — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • The woman across from me had pale skin and fierce blue eyes behind thick glasses.
    — Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Inter got off to a great start when a fierce long-range shot from Hakan Çalhanoğlu gave it the lead in the sixth minute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • The failure by American and Canadian trade negotiators to reach a deal came after nearly two weeks of furious talks.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Zayn was interrupted by Randy Orton, who was then interrupted by a furious Cody Rhodes already in the ring.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of furious

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tumults
tumultuous
tumultuously
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Cite this Entry

“Tumultuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumultuous. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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