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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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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Lastly, some members of the mainstream media’s reports on the violent anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis have been draped in gross mischaracterizations and gaping omissions.—
Michael Zais,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
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The president’s recent announcement of progress has been somewhat overshadowed by violent crimes making headlines daily.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The faces of those women represented an unbroken chain of those who survived turbulent histories before me.—
Lara N. Dotson-Renta,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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This is something that is common around young stars that have turbulent and violent environments, but is uncommon for stars as old as ASASSN-24fw, estimated to be around 1 billion years old.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For much of 2025, their doldrums felt much worse than the typical rough patch that parties endure after bad election defeats.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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Unfortunately, peel-and-stick tiles will not hold up well on rough walls and floors or uneven surfaces.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The press was ferocious and organised, with the number of box entries and chances created being higher than any league performance this season.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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What Lee did not anticipate was the iron resolve, the ferocious tenacity, of the Union defenders.—
Jamelle Bouie,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Some of the fiercest storms in the South were reported near Lake Charles, Louisiana, where high winds from a thunderstorm overturned a horse trailer and a Mardi Gras float, damaged an airport jet bridge and flung the metal awning from a house into power lines.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
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There’s Manny, Zitzs and EZ, who has a way with the girls; Izzy, an abused boy who hides his family’s secrets, and Gloria, as good at sports as the boys and so fierce nobody teases her little sister about her stutter.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Right next to that is a showcase for Rubin’s frenetic playing in the form of a furious pattern over slashing guitars.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
13 Feb. 2026
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Two other high-ranking music executives from outside the company, who also spoke to The Times on condition of anonymity to maintain relationships there, said talent and agents at Wasserman Music are furious, and planning exits if Wasserman stays much longer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The geological feature is often referred to as a lava tube, and is common around volcanic areas of Earth.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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But geologically the country could hardly be younger, being entirely volcanic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tempestuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempestuous. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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