turbulent

adjective

ˈtər-byə-lənt How to pronounce turbulent (audio)
Definition of turbulentnext
1
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity the turbulent struggle for civil rights that shook up American society in the 1960s

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2
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements the turbulent rapids of the river were certainly daunting to those of us who were new to river rafting

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3
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet

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4
as in tumultuous
marked by sudden or violent disturbance these are turbulent, dangerous times in a region known for being a powder keg

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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 turbulent Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson shared a turbulent, yearslong relationship that repeatedly made headlines. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 After the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and the Israeli invasion of Gaza, there were turbulent protests at many universities, and those at Columbia were often featured on TV news. — Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 The Sun’s turbulent outer atmosphere appeared as a ghostly white halo over Duratón’s centuries-old place of worship. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026 The chicks themselves weren’t expensive, however soymeal and corn costs were turbulent. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
  1. violent
  2. rough
  3. bleak
  4. tumultuous
  5. ferocious
  6. wild
  7. rainy
  8. sporadic
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
  • Tampa Bay capitalized on a rough outing by Jesús Sánchez, who struggled to track two fly balls against the Tropicana Field roof.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • His platform season has been so rough that a lot of his closest comps in WAR are guys coming off serious injuries.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • The past summer in Russia has also been shaping up as a bleak season for Putin’s Russia.
    — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Tyler Biadasz suffered a serious injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in practice this week, and the prognosis sounds bleak.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Duthiers pointed out that the Heroes star had shared her tumultuous experiences with King as recently as May.
    — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Hickerson, Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend since 2018, has had a tumultuous relationship with the actress, including allegations of physical abuse that led to jail time for domestic violence.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of tumultuous
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
  • Some had thought Williams might receive a wild-card entry for the Open singles tournament, but the final wild card instead went to another American in Sofia Kenin.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Routliffe and Glasspool will face wild-card pair Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams, while Errani and Vavassori will take on Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • But an outdoor garden, no matter how beautiful and lovingly designed or how innovatively used in the menu, is susceptible to the whims of Miami’s humid, rainy, extraordinarily lengthy summers.
    — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Students who took the stand described a heated exchange over Anthony’s refusal on a rainy spring day to leave a tent that belonged to Metcalf’s team.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of rainy
Adjective
  • Despite the drumbeat of warnings and sporadic enforcement, there is widespread defiance of official regulations, especially among young Iranian women.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • But Iran continues to mount sporadic attacks against shipping and assert its claim over the strait.
    — Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of sporadic

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Cite this Entry

“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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