TURMOIL Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

turmoil

noun

ˈtər-ˌmȯi(-ə)l

Definition of turmoil

as in unrest

a disturbed or uneasy state was in turmoil most of the night, trying to convince himself he had made the right decision

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity avoided the turmoil of the mall during the holiday season

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 turmoil Spills, crumbs, and grease from splattering casseroles and bubbling pies can make a mess of your oven, and the oven racks aren’t spared from the turmoil. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 July 2026 Her book is a panoramic, abundantly detailed history of a century of turmoil and restless migratory movements gravitating around El Paso. — Julia Preston, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026 Egypt’s tourism has started to recover after years of years of political turmoil and violence following the 2011 uprising, as well as the coronavirus pandemic. — ABC News, 4 July 2026 That same kind of counterculture is what makes Argentina be in such turmoil. — Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for turmoil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turmoil

Noun

Xenophobic unrest in South Africa has become a painful cost of doing business, executives warned, signalling that companies are bracing for prolonged instability in a country eager to draw fresh investment.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 10 July 2026
As the train pulls into Srinagar, Kashmir’s capital and a hotbed of the 2019 unrest, Abdul Rasheed Mir is waiting for a local train to his hometown of Qazigund.

— Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2026

Definition of unrest

Noun

Another trip to Uptown on May 20-21, 1977, causing police to shut Lawrence Avenue down in both directions due to such commotion outside the Aragon Ballroom entrance.

— Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Hassan was livid on the touchline and was seen making a cross gesture with his arms during all the commotion, a symbol introduced by FIFA for managers to alert the referees of a racist incident.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Definition of commotion

Noun

Even though talks with the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline never got close, the confusion provided by an incorrect tweet announcing Ryan’s trade to New England put the pitcher at the top of every trade list before the season even began.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
There have been confusion and contradictions in the lead up to the visit over accommodation arrangements for the Sussex family.

— Max Foster, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of confusion

Noun

With breaking the sound barrier comes a sonic boom, a massive noise disturbance that led the FAA to ban supersonic flight over land in the first place.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 July 2026
These persons came to our city with the intent on causing harm, injury, and destruction, bringing harassment, disturbances, and mayhem.

— Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of disturbance

Noun

Once the excitement had died down, the team gathered in a circle and a player went up to Haaland, grabbed the back of his neck and kissed his cheek.

— Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026
At a time when demand for new electric vehicles is cooling and cars are getting harder to afford, EV company Slate Auto has made a customizable truck that could bring a fresh wave of excitement to the industry.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

Among them was a Washington, DC, think tank, which recently caused a stir with a report proposing to cap annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 to shore up the retirement trust fund.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 July 2026
The red card, a penalty action that serves as one of soccer's most recognizable symbols, has caused quite a stir at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

— Mason Leib, ABC News, 6 July 2026

Definition of stir

Noun

Its shuttering, alongside other long-standing landmarks like Taix restaurant, underscores Echo Park’s growing tension between new development and preserving neighborhood character.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Now, with countries around the world focusing on building sovereign satellite networks, amid geopolitical tensions, a UAE company is working to mass manufacture commercial satellites.

— Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Definition of tension

Browse Nearby Words

turkeys

turmoil

turmoils

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Turmoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turmoil. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of turmoil

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on turmoil

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fulcrum

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes