turmoil

tur·moil | \ ˈtər-ˌmȯi(-ə)l

How to pronounce turmoil (audio)

\

Definition of turmoil

: a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about turmoil

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of turmoil in a Sentence

The country has been in turmoil for the past 10 years. a period of political turmoil His life has been in a constant turmoil.

Recent Examples on the Web The Coyotes have been in turmoil off the ice lately, which doesn't seem to bode well for a team that has hardly inspired much reason for excitement on it. ... — Usa Today Sports, USA TODAY, "NHL point projections: How we see the 2021 season unfolding," 11 Jan. 2021 The nation enters this week on edge, with an outgoing administration in turmoil, Congress considering how best to restrain an unhinged president, and a new administration facing a pandemic and other daunting challenges. — Star Tribune, "American tumult has damaging global impact," 9 Jan. 2021 The Washington franchise has been in turmoil throughout the year. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "Former AG Loretta Lynch Joins NFL Probe of Escalating Fight Among Washington Football Team Owners," 22 Dec. 2020 The expense of constructing a network capable of delivering gigabit service is an expensive and daunting feat for a company in a strong financial position, let alone one that is in financial turmoil. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, "Senator tries to block Frontier’s FCC funding, citing ISP’s various failures," 15 Dec. 2020 Restaurants across the city are moving to lay off waiters, servers and bartenders, throwing the workers’ lives in turmoil and presenting a new setback in New York’s economic recovery. — New York Times, "N.Y.C. Restaurants Face Bleak Winter With No Indoor Dining," 14 Dec. 2020 The debate reflects a nation in turmoil, a reckoning with a racist past that lingers today, toppling confederate statues from town squares and eliminating a large number of Robert E. Lee street signs. — Jill Tucker, SFChronicle.com, "Abraham Lincoln was once a hero. In some S.F. education circles, he’s now a bad guy," 14 Dec. 2020 Denzel Washington portrayed coach Herman Boone of T.C. Williams High, which was in turmoil in the wake of integration. — Los Angeles Times, "‘Remember the Titans’ school T.C. Williams to change name," 24 Nov. 2020 Those blunt assessments, which capture a Republican Party in turmoil as Trump refuses to concede to President-elect Joe Biden, were made on a Nov. 10 call with donors hosted by the National Republican Senatorial Committee. — Author: Robert Costa, Tom Hamburger, Anchorage Daily News, "Republicans sound alarm on Georgia Senate runoffs as they privately weigh Trump’s influence," 17 Nov. 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about turmoil

Dictionary Entries near turmoil

turmeric yellow

Statistics for turmoil

Last Updated

24 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Turmoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turmoil. Accessed 25 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for turmoil

turmoil

noun

English Language Learners Definition of turmoil

: a state of confusion or disorder

See the full definition for turmoil in the English Language Learners Dictionary

turmoil

tur·moil | \ ˈtər-ˌmȯil

\

Kids Definition of turmoil

: a very confused or disturbed state or condition … Tom made an honest effort to study, but the turmoil within him was too great.— Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

optimization

Listen to the pronunciation of optimization

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times

What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.