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 Brontë

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.

Synonyms of turbulent

• violent
• ferocious
• fierce
• furious
• rough
• volcanic

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 discovery is so surprising because even though AGNs are rich with gas and dust — the building blocks of planets — the turbulent conditions within the disks wouldn't generally be considered ideal for forming planets. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 June 2026

Who would exchange goods and services with something so turbulent? —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

The weekend’s severe weather follows a turbulent stretch earlier this week, when severe weather placed 13 million people under flood watches and triggered widespread power outages. —Christine Rapp, NBC news, 13 June 2026

The league is finally recovering from a turbulent decade during which television ratings dropped by nearly 48% as many of its most prominent players, coaches and executives increasingly inserted themselves into partisan political debates. —Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing turbulent

• turbulent flow

Kids 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