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 The contest is playing out in a turbulent political year in which voter angst over the Iran war, soaring gas and diesel prices and a rising cost of living have put the House and Senate up for grabs. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 Microsoft has climbed back to record highs after a turbulent year for the tech giant's stock. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 The escalation comes at an increasingly turbulent time for the Middle East’s aviation sector. — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026 Since Pollock was a turbulent man, living with him was never very calm. — Barbara Rose, Vogue, 11 Oct. 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
  • Government critics and human rights campaigners have alleged that police tactics in the last month have been unnecessarily violent.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • But complicating the government's efforts to bring the French deficit under control are widespread protests that have turned increasingly violent since starting as a Parisian student movement last month.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • Already postponed 24 hours, the invasion proceeded in the face of rough seas, strong winds, and low visibility in order to seize a small window in time of enormous consequence.
    — Marc E. Andersen, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Japanese flight controllers want to avoid powdery soil and rough terrain when the mothership, a four-legged stationary lander, descends to the surface to gather samples in late 2028 or 2029.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • Under Sorrells, morale at the office is bleak and has resulted in an exodus, according to two veteran prosecutors who left the office and spoke on the condition they not be identified.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Yet missing from this bleak picture are the ways that Ukraine has already adapted to escalating attacks.
    — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Even as a tumultuous Art Basel Paris dominated headlines this year, JNBY managed to use the fair to deepen its engagement with the art world.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Thomas and Erika arrive in a Germany torn apart and the ruptures within their family are nearly as tumultuous.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of tumultuous
Adjective
  • One of the most celebrated objects from the India Museum is a mechanical wooden sculpture of a ferocious tiger gnawing at a British soldier’s throat.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Wilson rocked the stanchion with a ferocious dunk in transition in the fourth quarter, only to have his next attempt at a full-court sprint smacked away by Jamal Shead, leading to a Leonard 3-pointer on the other end.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • Unpacking Meta's wild week Meta delivered a strong third quarter Wednesday evening, but worries about negative free cash flow and its AI spending needs upstaged strong guidance and a promising roadmap for its viral Muse AI agent.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The film is a wild, frequently grotesque spectacle that careens between horror, action, slapstick, and black comedy.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • There are waterproof Sorel boots for rainy-day exploring, classic Adidas sneakers for casual outfits, and plenty of polished options, from slingback flats and ballet flats to easy slip-on loafers.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Clippers fans also deserve more than having their parking picked up until an hour before game time, on one rainy workday, on late notice.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of rainy
Adjective
  • In the absence of regular data, analysts and activists interested in immigration trends have relied on information obtained through lawsuits or limited and sporadic information released by federal agencies to track deportation data.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Only some regional operators have continued sporadic services, generally using smaller feeder vessels.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of sporadic

Browse Nearby Words

turbulence
turbulent
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Cite this Entry

“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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