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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions
expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Advertisement The meeting came during a turbulent time for Demi.
—
Belinda Luscombe, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
The last decade has proven to be quite a turbulent one in which to come of age, Sennott argues, giving her characters a different perspective on that universal period in life.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2025
Green, who worked at NASA through several administrations before becoming Chief Scientist, says the space agency has weathered turbulent times before.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Two coaches departed the team during the early, turbulent stages of the first phase of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
—Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Belinda Luscombe, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
The last decade has proven to be quite a turbulent one in which to come of age, Sennott argues, giving her characters a different perspective on that universal period in life.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2025
Green, who worked at NASA through several administrations before becoming Chief Scientist, says the space agency has weathered turbulent times before.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Two coaches departed the team during the early, turbulent stages of the first phase of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
—Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
-
Rising number of violent incidents, 911 calls But reducing the inmate population did not solve the problem with drugs and violence.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
5 Nov. 2025
-
After Maggie and Paul were shot to death on June 7, 2021, Alex was found guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, earning two consecutive life sentences without possibility of parole.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Other government notices mentioned the size and rough location of the construction.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Yams tend to be white fleshed with a rough, brown exterior.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
When everything looks bleak, a woman holds it up victoriously.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
New York — US stocks closed lower Thursday as concerns mounted about expensive tech stocks, and a risk-off sentiment spread through markets after new data showed a bleak outlook for the job market.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
During his tumultuous decade as part of the Disney empire, which coincided with the rise in Marvel’s Avengers cinematic universe as a box office juggernaut, Perlmutter famously was at odds with the studio’s creative team.—
Erik Hayden,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Despite three tumultuous relocations in the past half-century, most recently a defection to Sin City five years ago, the Raiders still have a rabid fan base — at Allegiant, every game day is Halloween — and the natives and transplants (including 62,080 attendees Sunday) are getting restless.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Just a big ferocious ball of meat, claws, and teeth.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Though the storm did not make a direct hit on Haiti, its ferocious rains caused rivers to flood and jump their banks.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The honks of wild Canada geese, for instance, fresh out of the Arctic and now high in the clouds going south, signal a change in seasons for me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The Jets finally earned their first win of the season in Week 8 after a wild comeback against the Cincinnati Bengals, but with their 1-7 record and seemingly no future in sight, new general manager Darren Mougey has opted to ship his star corner.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The Amazon Unlike Brazil’s major cities, where the action ramps up in summer, the Amazon starts to quiet down in large part because of the arrival of the rainy season, which is at its peak from December to March.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
While spring is the most popular climbing season, as weather is favorable on tall peaks, hundreds of foreign climbers come to climb smaller peaks during the autumn, between the rainy monsoon months and winter.—
Manish Paudel,
NBC news,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Because, well, our relationship was always so sporadic.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Despite sporadic staff shortages at air traffic control facilities across the country since the shutdown began, flight operations have been largely normal.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share