turmoil

noun

tur·​moil ˈtər-ˌmȯi(-ə)l 

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

Synonyms

• unrest
• confusion
• excitement
• tension
• upheaval
• turbulence
• anxiety

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 investigative updates Tuesday came as the CDC held an all-agency meeting where staffers hoped to get more details about last week’s shooting – the latest example of the ongoing turmoil at one of the world’s top health agencies, more than five years after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. —Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025

So there was a huge amount of political turmoil around continuing with the SALT cap. —Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Every day at the high security hoosegow holds the possibility of turmoil and violence. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025

Before Trump’s return to power, turmoil over the way that schools handled pro-Palestinian protests toppled Armstrong’s predecessor, Minouche Shafik, along with presidents at the University of Pennslvania, Harvard and Cornell. —Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for turmoil

• airfoil
• benzoyl
• despoil
• embroil
• etoile
• gargoyle
• recoil
• subsoil
• tinfoil
• topsoil
• trefoil
• aerofoil

Kids Definition

turmoil

noun

tur·​moil ˈtər-ˌmȯil 

: a very confused or disturbed state or condition