1
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
order was restored to the court after the judge put a stop to the defendant's tempestuous outburst
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turbulent
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
in terms of social change, the 1960s are generally considered the most tempestuous decade in recent American history
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
we spent a tempestuous night stranded on the summit of the mountain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions
stay indoors this weekend as the weather promises to be tempestuous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tempestuous
An affirmative vision of what the world should be is the inspiration for many of those who, in these tempestuous early months of Trump 2.0, have taken meaningful risks—acts of American dissent.
—
Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
The move followed a tempestuous meeting between the president and Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, on February 21.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
The new coach’s tempestuous history does create even more emphasis on the next major hire Maryland must make, a replacement for athletic director Damon Evans.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
By turns giddy, anxious, and despairing, these poems have endeared him to generations of ordinary readers who find in the tempestuous and ultimately brokenhearted poet a strikingly modern and profoundly accessible figure.
—Daniel Mendelsohn, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
The move followed a tempestuous meeting between the president and Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, on February 21.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
The new coach’s tempestuous history does create even more emphasis on the next major hire Maryland must make, a replacement for athletic director Damon Evans.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
By turns giddy, anxious, and despairing, these poems have endeared him to generations of ordinary readers who find in the tempestuous and ultimately brokenhearted poet a strikingly modern and profoundly accessible figure.
—Daniel Mendelsohn, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempestuous
Adjective
-
However, the Salvadoran national was living in the U.S. illegally and is suspected of being a member of the notoriously violent gang MS-13.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
-
Children are being exposed to an unprecedented amount of online pornography, much of which is violent and misogynistic.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Keep in mind, substantial wealth can be created in the market by those who maintain a composed and strategic approach during turbulent times.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
-
The film spans two decades of a country in profound transformation with a new perspective into contemporary China and individual experience amid turbulent change.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
However, there are some plants that are less appealing to animals, such as those with pungent scents, fuzzy leaves, prickly or rough foliage, or a bitter taste.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
-
Its new pricing could be an effort to attract American car buyers after rough Q1.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
The crisis is in plain view and the wind is ferocious.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
His Hozier cover was at turns strategic and nuanced, then unleashed and ferocious.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
The old model of fierce independence is a luxury many can't afford during this transition.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
-
Tehran claims its program is peaceful but has threatened fierce retaliation and a possible withdrawal from the nonproliferation treaty if its nuclear sites are attacked.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s second administration has opened with a furious blitz of conservative policy focused around deportations, deep cuts to federal agencies and tariffs.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
The shipyard has been hiring at a furious pace – 5,300 in 2023, 4,100 in 2024, and another 3,000 projected this year – to meet the Navy’s production schedule.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Remember, the ground is its most fertile and luscious right after a volcanic eruption.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
-
During Juno's flyby of Io on Dec. 27, 2024, the spacecraft spotted what has turned out to be the most energetic volcanic eruption ever recorded on Io.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
None of this — the Netflix exposé painting her childhood as hellish and her adolescence as haunted by the specter of a controlling, manipulative mother; the rabid backlash to it and endless coverage of it — is pushing Piper off social media.—
Fortesa Latifi,
Rolling Stone,
1 May 2025
-
South Florida is rabid for the Panthers, and why not?—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tempestuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempestuous. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share