turbulent
adjective
tur·bu·lent
ˈtər-byə-lənt 
1
a
: exhibiting physical turbulence
turbulent air
b
: characterized by agitation or tumult : tempestuous
a turbulent marriage
2
: causing unrest, violence, or disturbance
… a set of mischievous, turbulent rebels …—
Anne Brontë
Anne Brontë
turbulently
adverb
Did you know?
Some people lead turbulent lives, and some are constantly in the grip of turbulent emotions. The late 1960s are remembered as turbulent years of social revolution in America and Europe. Often the captain of an airplane will warn passengers to fasten their seatbelts because of upper-air turbulence, which can make for a bumpy ride. El Niño, a seasonal current of warm water in the Pacific Ocean, may create turbulence in the winds across the United States, affecting patterns of rainfall and temperature as well.
Examples of turbulent in a Sentence
Turbulent waters caused the boat to capsize.
The sixties were a turbulent period in American history.
Recent Examples on the Web
During this turbulent summer in their lives, their grandmother invites them to her home in the Outer Banks, North Carolina’s barrier islands where wild horses roam free.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
The election is widely viewed as a verdict on the turbulent presidency of Gustavo Petro, who came to power in 2022, and on the future direction of Colombia’s political and economic model.
—Sebastian Jimenez, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
In others, tens of millions of them, the airway narrows, airflow becomes turbulent and the soft tissues of the palate and uvula begin to oscillate.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Mourinho’s three-year reign was a turbulent era, played out along toxic battle-lines against one of the greatest sides in football history in Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 29 May 2026
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Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
The election is widely viewed as a verdict on the turbulent presidency of Gustavo Petro, who came to power in 2022, and on the future direction of Colombia’s political and economic model.
—Sebastian Jimenez, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
In others, tens of millions of them, the airway narrows, airflow becomes turbulent and the soft tissues of the palate and uvula begin to oscillate.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Mourinho’s three-year reign was a turbulent era, played out along toxic battle-lines against one of the greatest sides in football history in Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbulent. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
turbulent
adjective
tur·bu·lent
ˈtər-byə-lənt
: causing or being in a state of unrest, violence, or disturbance
a turbulent relationship
turbulently
adverb
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