Synonyms of turbulent

turbulent

adjective

ˈtər-byə-lənt 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violent
• ferocious
• fierce
• furious
• rough
• volcanic
• tumultuous
• explosive
• vicious
• rabid
• stormy
• tempestuous
• hot
• brutal
• cyclonic
• convulsive
• paroxysmal
• volatile
• aggressive
• contentious
• savage
• hostile
• hammer-and-tongs
• blood-and-guts
• knock-down, drag-out
• bang-bang
• destructive
• barbarous
• frantic
• antagonistic
• combative
• pugnacious
• belligerent
• mad
• bellicose
• combustible
• quarrelsome
• assertive
• agitated
• truculent
• frenzied
• gladiatorial
• ruinous
• cataclysmal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• peaceable
• nonviolent
• calm
• tranquil
• serene
• pacific
• halcyon
• unaggressive
• nonbelligerent

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rough
• tumultuous
• wild
• stormy
• tempestuous
• brutal
• rugged
• harsh
• bleak
• violent
• raging
• severe
• blustery
• unsettled
• blustering
• inclement
• nasty
• unquiet
• raw
• roily
• squally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• quiet
• calm
• tranquil
• placid
• serene
• clear
• halcyon
• bright
• sunny
• fair
• cloudless
• unclouded
• sunshiny
• clement

3

as in bleak

marked by wet and windy conditions

expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bleak
• rough
• rainy
• stormy
• tempestuous
• snowy
• inclement
• dirty
• raw
• foul
• nasty
• squally
• gusty
• blustery
• windswept
• breezy
• windblown
• murky
• hazy
• misty
• cloudy
• overcast
• blowy
• blustering
• foggy
• soupy
• sunless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clear
• sunny
• bright
• fair
• cloudless
• unclouded
• peaceful
• sunshiny
• calm
• pleasant
• clement
• placid
• serene
• rainless
• balmy
• halcyon

4

as in tumultuous

marked by sudden or violent disturbance

these are turbulent, dangerous times in a region known for being a powder keg

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tumultuous
• sporadic
• noisy
• convulsive
• stormy
• tempestuous
• furious
• fitful
• spasmodic
• boisterous
• cataclysmal
• riotous
• clamorous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• peaceful
• undisturbed
• serene
• tranquil
• placid
• unperturbed
• untroubled
• unshaken

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of turbulent

The two lawsuits come after a turbulent week for Hoskins, a Republican who became a key player in a dizzying series of legal battles and court decisions over the state’s congressional map. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

His re-election came on the back of a turbulent few years, ones where Barca’s finances were as much a story as their football. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The new play follows the fortunes of a wealthy but troubled clan through a turbulent period in Nigeria’s recent history. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

But as ARTnews reports, the 430,000-square-foot complex has weathered a turbulent decade in the making, and is now threatened more than ever by drastic, looming government budget cuts. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2026