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 Updates went out with actual notice via the Festiverse app, socials and Lollapalooza website, with clarity delivered despite the turbulent weather. — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Out in the wild, turbulent air swirls these plumes into a chaotic, broken landscape—dense chemical filaments laced through long stretches of clean air. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026 The Grammy winner has detailed the more turbulent aspects of her upbringing on numerous past occasions. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026 People reach for these tools when markets turn turbulent, which is when automated discipline helps most and a panicked move costs most. — Pawan Jain, The Conversation, 29 July 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
  • The stunts included burnouts in the middle of the intersection, which resulted in a violent collision with two of the bystanders.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Since October 2023, the number and severity of settler attacks have skyrocketed, including arson and other destruction of property, the killing of livestock, violent assaults and murder, taking place almost every day.
    — Kamel Musallet, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has had a rough year, and in a cynical way, that makes for great TV.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • When the economy hits rougher patches, employers curtail hiring or tend to favor experienced workers, businesses lean more on technology to fill any labor gaps, and some consumers pull back on discretionary spending.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • Things get increasingly bleak, as the family dog’s heart medicine runs out and Jason has to put him out of his misery, and then — in doomsday prepper mode — carves up the body and puts it in the freezer just in case food gets dire.
    — William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The article highlights a bleak outlook for young neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with intersecting identities, facing significant structural barriers in the job market.
    — Nancy Doyle, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Eugenie’s baby arrives in the midst of a tumultuous time for her family.
    — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Shadowbox takes on management of Kaufman Astoria after a tumultuous period at the studios.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of tumultuous
Adjective
  • Many EVs can deliver incredible stats—ferocious acceleration is their calling card—but not all deliver a holistic driving experience like the best German sedans of the past 40 or 50 years.
    — Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • To the world, McRae is a strong, fearless entertainer, a triple threat who can pen songs that recall the fizzy pop of the early aughts and bring them to life as a ferocious singer and dancer.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • The Padres pulled into a tie with Philadelphia and Arizona for the third NL wild-card spot after winning their fourth straight game and 14th of 18.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Typically depicted with exaggerated features and ragged clothing – or no clothing at all – these children were often shown being chased by alligators or other wild animals.
    — The Conversation, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • After years on a downward slope, surplus funds are paying down a pension debt accumulated over seven decades, the state’s rainy-day fund is full, state projects are receiving support, and the state’s credit was upgraded several times since 2020.
    — Elona Vaisnys, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Most of the Tri-State Area, including New York City, is under a heat advisory Thursday and Friday, with rainy weather bringing the risk of flash flooding.
    — Justin Lewis, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of rainy
Adjective
  • Sporadic attacks risk largely blocking the waterway In the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has shown that even sporadic attacks on ships can be enough to effectively close a critical waterway by driving up risks and insurance premiums.
    — Fatma Khaled, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The Strait of Hormuz — which handled around one-fifth of global oil supply before the war — has seen traffic drop to a trickle with sporadic increase in ship transits on positive headlines.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of sporadic

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turbulence
turbulent
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Cite this Entry

“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of turbulent for Spanish Speakers

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