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tumult

noun
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tu·​mult | \ ˈtü-ˌməlt How to pronounce tumult (audio) , ˈtyü- also ˈtə- \

Definition of tumult

1a : disorderly agitation or milling about of a crowd usually with uproar and confusion of voices : commotion
b : a turbulent uprising : riot
2 : hubbub, din
3a : violent agitation of mind or feelings
b : a violent outburst
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about tumult

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web Some experts suggest the tumult could have been avoided. — Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, "Bolivia’s Socialists may revive Latin America’s ‘pink tide’," 20 Oct. 2020 Paris headquarters, in fact, that the longtime president, Noël Le Graët, has brought in an outside expert trained in repairing broken businesses to guide his staff out of the tumult. — New York Times, "French Soccer Roiled by Claims of Toxic Workplace Culture," 14 Oct. 2020 New Relic has similarly sought to draw boundaries between its business and the larger cultural and political tumult. — Mike Rogoway, oregonlive, "New Relic employees report unrest over work culture, CEO’s donations," 11 Oct. 2020 Whether to blame the tumult on Villere, council members, or both, often elicited spirited debate. — Andrew Canulette | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, "Andrew's Angle: Mandeville needs to steer away from politics of past, focus on future," 6 Oct. 2020 The tumult began with a memo from Scharf that set new diversity targets and tied executive pay to improving those metrics. — Hannah Levitt, Bloomberg.com, "Wells Fargo CEO Apologizes for ‘Limited’ Black Talent Remark," 23 Sep. 2020 Shontel Brown said Black Americans needed only to look to before Trump’s time in office for less tumult. — cleveland, "Greater Cleveland Association of Black Journalists hosts presidential forum on Black issues in the 2020 election," 22 Sep. 2020 By the time the tumult died down, 13 people had died and hundreds of policemen and protesters had been injured. — The Economist, "Fight crime, not war Why Colombia’s militarised police need reform," 19 Sep. 2020 At this point, all teams have played between 43 and 49 games, but the numbers belie the tumult. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "'It feels like 162 right now': Why MLB's 60-game season has been a mental grind," 16 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tumult.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of tumult

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

History and Etymology for tumult

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

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Time Traveler for tumult

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

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Statistics for tumult

Last Updated

24 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Tumult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumult. Accessed 24 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for tumult

tumult

noun
How to pronounce tumult (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of tumult

formal
: a state of noisy confusion or disorder
: a state of great mental or emotional confusion

See the full definition for tumult in the English Language Learners Dictionary

tumult

noun
tu·​mult | \ ˈtü-ˌməlt How to pronounce tumult (audio) , ˈtyü- \

Kids Definition of tumult

1 : uproar A great tumult arose in the audience.
2 : great confusion of mind

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More from Merriam-Webster on tumult

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tumult

Nglish: Translation of tumult for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of tumult for Arabic Speakers

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