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

Leo Tolstoy’s masterful epic—or one of them, at least—is about one woman’s scandals, passions, and ultimate tragedy, all set amid the tumult of late-19th century Russia. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026

That despite tumult and prolonged periods of poor form – having endured a terrible start and with the end of their league campaign similarly tailing off – Villa can find a way to win. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Indelibly capturing the political tumult of 1970s Kerala in stark black and white, Report to Mother has endured as one of South Indian cinema’s most essential works. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

Student crackdown Jiang’s rise to the top began amid the tumult of the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protests, which were brutally crushed by Chinese troops in what remains one of the most sensitive political taboos in mainland China. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 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