hurly-burly

noun

ˌhər-lē-ˈbər-lē How to pronounce hurly-burly (audio)
Definition of hurly-burlynext
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity lost sight of his children in all the hurly-burly of the fair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 hurly-burly But mostly for my parents, who had worked so hard for so many years to create a refuge from the hurly-burly of the outside world. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025 Mustard admires the fact that, rather than engage in the hurly-burly of social media, Lamar will disappear from public view for long stretches of time. — Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2024 The image’s low contrast and lack of sharpness suggest that it was snapped from the hurly-burly of the piazza. — Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2023 In the hurly-burly of a modern economy, people are constantly being hurt by economic changes beyond their control. — Alan S. Blinder, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurly-burly
  1. commotion
  2. disturbance
  3. hurry
  4. turmoil
  5. stir
  6. fuss
  7. noise
Noun
  • Delhi Police said Wangchuk was taken to hospital after his health worsened during the hunger strike, and that a brief commotion occurred when some protesters tried to block the move.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • The commotion was so loud that Netanyahu left the chamber, sitting out the vote entirely.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • The untethered AUVs hover above the seabed instead of dragging equipment across it, reducing sediment disturbance and limiting ecosystem disruption.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
  • The Saharan Air Layer can suppress thunderstorm development and increase atmospheric stability across parts of the tropical Atlantic, temporarily reducing the odds that disturbances develop into tropical storms or hurricanes.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Definition of disturbance
Noun
  • The reader identifies with each friend in turn, then hurries to find out if the other friend understood, disagreed, helped, explained.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • Hargrave also had 31 total pressures, 24 hurries, three quarterback hits and forced one fumble.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of hurry
Noun
  • The weaker economic data is a sign that sluggish consumption at home is outweighing recent strength in Chinese exports, and the nation is not immune from the economic turmoil caused by the war in Iran.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Gold is a safe-haven asset that investors gravitate toward when economic and political turmoil erupts, sending waves through the markets.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of turmoil
Noun
  • The interview caused a stir at the time and, inevitably, led to all sorts of comments about a monosyllabic footballer.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Lasser also famously caused a stir among the Saturday Night Live cast near the end of season 1, and was married to Woody Allen from 1966-1970.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026
Definition of stir
Noun
  • Our national instincts are for biting our lip and not causing a fuss.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron This is what all that Lebron to Miami fuss is about on social media, right?
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • There have also been noises more recently about Norway’s Orjan Nyland, another free agent following the expiration of his contract with Sevilla.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • If the prospect of lines, crowds, and excessive noise is deterring you from a vacation this summer, then the area around Shippea Hill is the ultimate antidote.
    — Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026
Definition of noise

Browse Nearby Words

hurly-burlies
hurly-burly
hurrah
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Cite this Entry

“Hurly-burly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurly-burly. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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