tumult

noun

tu·​mult ˈtü-ˌməlt How to pronounce tumult (audio)
ˈtyü-,
 also  ˈtə-
1
a
: disorderly agitation or milling about of a crowd usually with uproar and confusion of voices : commotion
b
: a turbulent uprising : riot
2
: hubbub, din
3
a
: violent agitation of mind or feelings
b
: a violent outburst

Examples of tumult in a Sentence

We had to shout to be heard over the tumult. The country was in tumult. Her mind was in a tumult of emotions.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
During the tumult, some younger members of the Vietnamese community, already questioning their status on the sidelines of a local political infrastructure that didn’t include them, inserted themselves in the conversation. Anh Do, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025 The 26-year-old Meyer provides a reprieve every fifth day from that tumult. Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025 Many working Americans and retirees are on edge with recent market tumult, but wealthy and aging travelers, particularly in the pricey front of the plane, are helping to offset that. Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025 At the center of the tumult: a $10 million donation the foundation received from a $67 million Medicaid state settlement that was previously undisclosed to the state Legislature. Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tumult

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tumulte, from Anglo-French, from Latin tumultus; perhaps akin to Sanskrit tumula noisy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tumult was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Tumult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumult. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

tumult

noun
tu·​mult ˈt(y)ü-ˌməlt How to pronounce tumult (audio)
1
: uproar
a great tumult arose in the stands
2
: great confusion of mind

More from Merriam-Webster on tumult

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