turbulent

adjective

ˈtər-byə-lənt How to pronounce turbulent (audio)
Definition of turbulentnext
1
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity the turbulent struggle for civil rights that shook up American society in the 1960s

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2
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements the turbulent rapids of the river were certainly daunting to those of us who were new to river rafting

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3
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet

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4
as in tumultuous
marked by sudden or violent disturbance these are turbulent, dangerous times in a region known for being a powder keg

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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 turbulent Amid the social unrest gripping France, the fates of Valjean, Cosette, her lover Marius, and Javert become entangled in the turbulent, revolutionary streets of Paris. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 To be sure, August has still been a turbulent month, as inflation fears sent Treasury yields to multiyear highs. — Lee Ying Shan,fred Imbert, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026 Her former colleague James Derby is also navigating the turbulent job market. — Bri Buckley, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 Buss’ lawsuit, filed in a Los Angeles County Superior Court this week, complicates an already-turbulent sales process for the Lakers that will ultimately require NBA approval. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
  1. violent
  2. rough
  3. bleak
  4. tumultuous
  5. ferocious
  6. wild
  7. rainy
  8. sporadic
Adjective
  • In the days since, the incident has sparked another round of reckoning with safety for LGBTQ people in Sacramento’s Lavender Heights neighborhood, which has seen a number of violent incidents in recent years.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Scientists hoped the probe would help build a geologic history of the moon to better understand its violent origins in a cosmic impact.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • Convincing a parent to get hearing aids can be a rough experience.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The journey back to the river camp was an arduous three-mile hike over rough terrain.
    — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • Using the pretense of a documentary film crew, the show follows the excruciatingly dull workday experiences of a paper supply company in a drab office in a bleak industrial estate in Slough, England.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • India's quarterly economic growth has exceeded expectations several times over the past year, defying a bleak global trade environment, high energy prices and geopolitical uncertainties.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • After a tumultuous year, California lawmakers sent several important energy and environment bills to the governor’s desk in the final hours of the legislative session.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Stan Kroenke’s company agreed to purchase the Los Angeles Angels, ending owner Arte Moreno’s tumultuous 23-year-old stewardship of the franchise.
    — Stephanie Apstein, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of tumultuous
Adjective
  • That was the last time Tamang saw Yangri, who was whisked away by ferocious flash floods that ripped through this part of the Himalayan nation earlier this week.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The run game of Agoura is ferocious and experienced, but Westlake’s QB play is better.
    — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • The surging Phillies moved into a tie for the first NL wild-card position entering Monday, though the Cubs hold the season series tiebreaker over Philadelphia.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • San Diego leads Arizona by a half-game in the race for the National League’s final wild-card spot.
    — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • Budget Director Ray Baker said Miami-Dade should have about $500 million in its rainy-day fund, but the county has less than $90 million available to tap after a calamity like a hurricane.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The park’s sand dunes are striped with turquoise and emerald lagoons (which accumulate during the rainy season), creating the effect of infinitely repeating oases.
    — Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of rainy
Adjective
  • While Cannes has been far more sporadic in its support of the form, and Berlin tends to offer quantity at the expense of quality, Venice has consistently brought the bangers — and the 2026 selection looks to be among its best yet.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The clear-cutting of swaths of trees led to sporadic dust storms while, at night, the data center’s bright white lights can be seen from their homes and obscure the stars, according to the complaint.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of sporadic

Browse Nearby Words

turbulence
turbulent
turbulently
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Cite this Entry

“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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