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.
Through the dark-web tumult, demand for DMT never waned. Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025 Tayfun Coskun | Anadolu | Getty Images Taken from CNBC’s Daily Open, our international markets newsletter — Subscribe today One consequence of the tariff tumult caused by U.S. President Donald Trump over the past month is that investor enthusiasm over artificial intelligence has waned. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 21 May 2025 Many legal experts see the lawsuit as without merit, but Paramount Global is seeking the administration’s approval over the Skydance merger. McMahon was seen as a defender of the news division — and 60 Minutes — amid the corporate tumult. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 May 2025 Therefore, the tariff tumult is only adding to pressures and uncertainty about future costs, the effect on supply chains, and trying to figure out how this will impact revenues for the year. Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 15 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tumult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumult. Accessed 28 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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