turbulent

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adjective tur·bu·lent \ ˈtər-byə-lənt \

Definition of turbulent

1 a :exhibiting physical turbulence

turbulent air

b :characterized by agitation or tumult :tempestuous

a turbulent marriage

2 :causing unrest, violence, or disturbance

a set of mischievous, turbulent rebels
—Anne Brönte

—

turbulently

adverb

See turbulent defined for English-language learners

See turbulent defined for kids

Examples of turbulent in a Sentence

Turbulent waters caused the boat to capsize.
The sixties were a turbulent period in American history.

Recent Examples of turbulent from the Web

Records obtained by the Tribune show Kelly has been found mentally unfit for duty twice during his turbulent career, arrested two times and accused of beating a girlfriend.

— stacy st. clair, chicagotribune.com, "City settles lawsuit against Chicago cop who struck pregnant woman with Taser," 19 July 2017
Large, active funds bearish even as ETF assets rise to record Silver is a turbulent market, with prices down 12% in 3 months Silver, known for being a market of extremes, is living up to its reputation this year.

— eddie van der walt, Bloomberg.com, "Investors Are Pouring Money Into Silver ETFs," 17 July 2017
Even in these politically turbulent times, some lawmakers such as U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas continue to hold public meetings.

— anna m. tinsley, star-telegram, "U.S. Rep. Granger won’t hold town halls because of ‘so many threats’," 15 July 2017
The turbulent motion of superhot plasma causes the magnetic field coursing within to cycle between periods of low and high intensity—resulting in sunspots and solar flares.

— andrew wagner, Science | AAAS, "Take a 360° spin through the heart of the sun," 13 July 2017
Egypt has long accused Hamas of providing sanctuary as well as supporting Islamic militants fighting its security forces in the turbulent north of the Sinai Peninsula, a region that borders Gaza and Israel.

— mohammed daraghmeh, The Seattle Times, "Egyptian, Palestinian leaders meet amid likely Gaza shakeup," 9 July 2017
At the time, the transfer was seen as an example of how far the Obama administration would go in its search for nations to resettle Yemenis whom the United States wouldn’t repatriate to their turbulent homeland.

— miamiherald, "Ghana: Decision to take in Guantánamo detainees ‘unconstitutional’," 22 June 2017
Saudi King Salman promoted his son, Mohammed bin Salman, to crown prince, upending the line of succession for Saudi Arabia and putting a 31-year-old a heartbeat away from the throne during a turbulent period of war and change in the Middle East.

— summer said, WSJ, "Meet Saudi Arabia’s New Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman," 21 June 2017
The newest of several x-ray telescope in space, the HXMT will observe some of the most turbulent processes in the universe.

— dennis normile, Science | AAAS, "China successfully launches x-ray satellite," 15 June 2017

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

Did You Know?

Some people lead turbulent lives, and some are constantly in the grip of turbulent emotions. The late 1960s are remembered as turbulent years of social revolution in America and Europe. Often the captain of an airplane will warn passengers to fasten their seatbelts because of upper-air turbulence, which can make for a bumpy ride. El Niño, a seasonal current of warm water in the Pacific Ocean, may create turbulence in the winds across the United States, affecting patterns of rainfall and temperature as well.

Origin and Etymology of turbulent

Latin turbulentus, from turba confusion, crowd — more at turbid

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1538

See Words from the same year

turbulent Synonyms

Synonyms

bang-bang, blood-and-guts, convulsive, cyclonic, explosive, ferocious, fierce, furious, hammer-and-tongs, hot, knock-down, drag-out (or knock-down-and-drag-out), paroxysmal, rabid, rough, stormy, tempestuous, tumultuous, violent, volcanic

Antonyms

nonviolent, peaceable, peaceful

Related Words

barbarous, brutal, savage, vicious; antagonistic, hostile; aggressive, assertive, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, gladiatorial, pugnacious, quarrelsome, truculent; combustible, volatile; agitated, frantic, frenzied, mad; cataclysmal (or cataclysmic), destructive, ruinous

Near Antonyms

calm, halcyon, pacific, serene, tranquil; nonbelligerent, unaggressive

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

TURBULENT Defined for English Language Learners

turbulent

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adjective

Definition of turbulent for English Language Learners

: moving in an irregular or violent way
: full of confusion, violence, or disorder : not stable or steady

TURBULENT Defined for Kids

turbulent

play

adjective tur·bu·lent \ ˈtər-byə-lənt \

Definition of turbulent for Students

:causing or being in a state of unrest, violence, or disturbance

turbulent protests

turbulent weather

Word Root of turbulent

The Latin word turba, meaning “disorder,” gives us the root turb. Words from the Latin turba have something to do with disorder. To disturb is to cause disorder to something or to someone's feelings. To perturb, or trouble, is to cause disorder to someone's mind. Anything turbulent is in a state of violence or disorder.