1
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
order was restored to the court after the judge put a stop to the defendant's tempestuous outburst
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turbulent
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
in terms of social change, the 1960s are generally considered the most tempestuous decade in recent American history
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3
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
we spent a tempestuous night stranded on the summit of the mountain
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4
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions
stay indoors this weekend as the weather promises to be tempestuous
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tempestuous
With a father who has all but given up, a disconnected mother, 2 moody teenagers and a tempestuous little one – there’s already plenty of drama for one family to manage.
—
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Rumiantsev is charged with two counts of rape and assault, which allegedly occurred during his tempestuous relationship with Barron’s online friend.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
But some stars are much more tempestuous.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 22 Jan. 2026
Astove is also surrounded by the tempestuous waters of the western Indian Ocean—the former Sea of Zanj, feared by medieval Arab explorers—that, whipped up by the trade winds, roll and roar in the summer.
—Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Rumiantsev is charged with two counts of rape and assault, which allegedly occurred during his tempestuous relationship with Barron’s online friend.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
But some stars are much more tempestuous.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 22 Jan. 2026
Astove is also surrounded by the tempestuous waters of the western Indian Ocean—the former Sea of Zanj, feared by medieval Arab explorers—that, whipped up by the trade winds, roll and roar in the summer.
—Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempestuous
Adjective
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Again, legal observers and ordinary citizens captured his violent death from several angles.—
Nick Woltman,
Twin Cities,
22 Feb. 2026
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As the hours passed, violent events were replicated in Colima, Nayarit, Aguascalientes and Guanajuato, where blockades and attacks on infrastructure are multiplying.—
Claudia Núñez,
AZCentral.com,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Though the region of the Milky Way called the Galactic Center is expected to be replete with pulsars, spotting them is challenging because of how extreme, turbulent, and densely packed the heart of our galaxy is.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
21 Feb. 2026
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It’s been a turbulent few years for Ubisoft.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Apply it wherever skin looks rough or lackluster, and relish in the relief.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
25 Feb. 2026
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But the simple sight of Barkov on the ice is one that provides optimism for a Panthers fan base yearning for any sort of optimism during a rough season.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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It has been loved onto the screen by the ferocious talent of MK, the exceptional executives at HBO and the world-class production team in Wolf Studios Wales, where Bad Wolf has filmed every season.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
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Luna is in your strict 10th house, motivating ferocious Mars in your committed 6th house.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Born in 1941 to an unwed teenage mother in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson turned heads early with his fierce drive and athletic ability.—
Mark Whitaker,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Göransson saw off fierce competition, including Alexandre Desplat, a 13-time nominee and three-time winner of the category; the latter was nominated for his score for Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Some still vividly recall the heavy, thick pall of smoke that drifted through the entire region, fed by furious wildfires to the east and north.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
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Both of these rabbis were already furious about the formation of the American Council for Judaism, an anti-Zionist organization that a group of German Jews, including Julian, had founded in 1942.—
Nicholas Lemann,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The volcanic rock near several beaches will shred bare feet without apology.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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Paired with its varied landscapes—beaches, rice paddies, jungle interiors, and volcanic terrain—Bali offers a wide range of experiences in a single trip, without requiring long-distance travel.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tempestuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempestuous. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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