1
as in turbulent
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of the region
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
watched the tumultuous weather from the dry safety of our house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
after a tumultuous day of trading, the stock market was down 500 points
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 tumultuous
Sarepta Therapeutics’ next crop of medicines for muscular dystrophy appear to be safe and effective in early clinical trials, the company said, a positive though incremental update for a drugmaker rebuilding its business after a tumultuous 2025.
—
Damian Garde, STAT, 25 Mar. 2026
Yet both maintain there remains wisdom in Thoreau’s writing, even in these tumultuous times for environmental protections and civil rights.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
The Senate on March 25 once again voted against moving forward with a proposal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, a sign that momentum from earlier in the week to end the tumultuous shutdown has slowed.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
And throughout this tumultuous epoch, the battle over America got wrapped up in the baffling intricacies of health care—first insurance coverage, then COVID.
—Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumultuous
Damian Garde, STAT, 25 Mar. 2026
Yet both maintain there remains wisdom in Thoreau’s writing, even in these tumultuous times for environmental protections and civil rights.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
The Senate on March 25 once again voted against moving forward with a proposal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, a sign that momentum from earlier in the week to end the tumultuous shutdown has slowed.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
And throughout this tumultuous epoch, the battle over America got wrapped up in the baffling intricacies of health care—first insurance coverage, then COVID.
—Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumultuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumultuous
Adjective
-
The area's geography of tall seaside cliffs and sharp mountain ridges can contribute to turbulent air and quick weather changes that pose hazards for aviation.—
JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Three people were killed when a tour helicopter broke apart near Honolulu in April 2019, and that December seven people died, including three children, when one crashed in turbulent weather near the Na Pali Coast.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Based on the novel by Bart Baker, Honeymoon with Harry follows a rough-around-the-edges man (Gyllenhaal) who ends up sharing an unwanted journey with his fiancée’s prickly, overprotective father (Costner) after a life-altering turn upends their plans.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Nivea’s Intense Healing formula takes a richer approach, focusing on long-lasting moisture that can soften rough areas like knees, elbows, and heels.—
Hana Hong,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Jessica Gorman delivered emotional remarks Saturday at a vigil in Yorktown Heights, New York, honoring her daughter — a Loyola University Chicago freshman whose life was cut short in what authorities describe as a sudden, violent attack.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
That’s a reference to what Duncan always intended, and rightly so, as a holistic approach to the problem of violent crime, involving not just violence interrupting by former gang members turned peacekeepers but better education and job opportunities for the young people most at risk.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Sierra Canyon used a ferocious press and got points from unexpected places, like 3-pointers from Stephen Kankole, dunks from Jordan Mize and 11 points with 10 assists from JJ Sati-Grier.—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Still, any attempt to use Harry Potter as a lens through which to view human decency can’t avoid the ferocious, half-blind dragon in the room.—
Séamas O'Reilly,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Nothing except getting into fierce arguments with fellow-Jews, some would say, which Olitzky—who has a round, boyish face and a conciliatory manner—portrayed as a privilege rather than a burden.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
With one-of-a-kind offerings from the likes of Inglenook, Crocker & Starr, Amici Cellars, Peju, Long Meadow Ranch, and a collaboration between Dakota Shy and Detert Family Vineyards, bidding was fierce on Cabernet Franc.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Britain and France were furious—the canal carried oil and other goods that were vital to European economies—and determined to take back control.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Conservative hardliners in the House woke up furious that their Senate counterparts had passed a deal without ICE and Border Patrol funding in the dead of night.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tumultuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumultuous. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
