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

Creation of a legendary company amid tumult Plenty of drama enveloped the run-up to the creation of General Electric in 1892. —Michael Kilian, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Morgan Stanley, led by CEO Ted Pick since 2024, appears to have capably navigated the tumult of the first quarter, which saw rolling corrections in software stocks and the upheaval caused by the Iran war. —Hugh Son, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026

This tumult gave rise to the political philosophies of communism and anarchism, as well as the early labor movement. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026

Researchers worried the tumult would continue into 2026, as the NSF seemed to spike more applications than normal. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 14 Apr. 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