turbulent
adjective
tur·bu·lent
ˈtər-byə-lənt 
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
Anne Brönte
turbulently
adverb
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.
Examples of turbulent in a Sentence
Turbulent waters caused the boat to capsize.
The sixties were a turbulent period in American history.
Recent Examples on the Web
The emotional breakdown follows a turbulent few months for the artist.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025
At the other end, his turbulent participation in the 1976 exhibition New York-Downtown-Manhattan SoHo, in Berlin.
—Antonio Sergio Bessa, Curbed, 20 Oct. 2025
Morton assesses this political and royal insider’s tactics and actions through often turbulent times in the book — and believes his bond with the Windsors was closer than anyone's.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Pat Cummins was the man to whom Australian cricket turned after one of the most turbulent periods in their recent history.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
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Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025
At the other end, his turbulent participation in the 1976 exhibition New York-Downtown-Manhattan SoHo, in Berlin.
—Antonio Sergio Bessa, Curbed, 20 Oct. 2025
Morton assesses this political and royal insider’s tactics and actions through often turbulent times in the book — and believes his bond with the Windsors was closer than anyone's.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Pat Cummins was the man to whom Australian cricket turned after one of the most turbulent periods in their recent history.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbulent. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
turbulent
adjective
tur·bu·lent
ˈtər-byə-lənt
: causing or being in a state of unrest, violence, or disturbance
a turbulent relationship
turbulently
adverb
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