tumult

noun

tu·​mult ˈtü-ˌməlt 

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

Synonyms of tumult

• commotion
• disturbance
• turmoil
• stir
• hurry
• fuss
• noise

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

Amid the tumult and the bluster and the noise, what exactly makes our singular president tick? — Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 2026

In the tumult, Italy temporarily suspended its open-border Schengen agreement with Spain, re-imposing border controls for air and sea. — ABC News, 31 July 2026

Also, the public furore might cause Infantino and FIFA to second guess themselves and withdraw the idea, much like the Super League initiative was largely shot down within a few days of its proposal due to fan and media tumult. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 29 July 2026

In times of war and tumult, America’s leaders used religious imagery for encouragement, while maintaining the separation of church and state as outlined in the First Amendment of the Constitution. — Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026

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

Kids Definition

tumult

noun

tu·​mult ˈt(y)ü-ˌməlt 

1

: uproar

a great tumult arose in the stands

2

: great confusion of mind