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
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.
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 Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, marking the end of a turbulent tenure defined by bold moves, fan unrest, and a season that spiraled after the controversial Luka Dončić trade.
—Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Prewitt, who has led IFTA and the AFM through some of the most turbulent years in the history of independent film — through the rise of streaming and the collapse of the theatrical market, the COVID shutdowns and the dual strikes — will be stepping down after this year’s AFM.
—Kevin Cassidy, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
Still, markets have proven resilient over a turbulent year marked by fluctuating tariffs, stubborn inflation and a slowdown of hiring.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2025
The average age of the first-time homebuyer keeps being pushed higher amid the turbulent housing market of the last several years.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
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Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Prewitt, who has led IFTA and the AFM through some of the most turbulent years in the history of independent film — through the rise of streaming and the collapse of the theatrical market, the COVID shutdowns and the dual strikes — will be stepping down after this year’s AFM.
—Kevin Cassidy, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
Still, markets have proven resilient over a turbulent year marked by fluctuating tariffs, stubborn inflation and a slowdown of hiring.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2025
The average age of the first-time homebuyer keeps being pushed higher amid the turbulent housing market of the last several years.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 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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