Synonyms of tempestuous

tempestuous

adjective

tem-ˈpes-chə-wəs 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violent
• turbulent
• ferocious
• fierce
• furious
• rough
• volcanic
• rabid
• tumultuous
• vicious
• explosive
• stormy
• hot
• brutal
• convulsive
• cyclonic
• paroxysmal
• volatile
• aggressive
• savage
• contentious
• knock-down, drag-out
• hostile
• hammer-and-tongs
• blood-and-guts
• bang-bang
• barbarous
• destructive
• frantic
• antagonistic
• pugnacious
• mad
• belligerent
• quarrelsome
• bellicose
• combative
• truculent
• combustible
• assertive
• frenzied
• agitated
• gladiatorial
• ruinous
• cataclysmal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• peaceable
• calm
• nonviolent
• serene
• tranquil
• pacific
• halcyon
• unaggressive
• nonbelligerent

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• turbulent
• tumultuous
• convulsive
• stormy
• fitful
• sporadic
• spasmodic
• boisterous
• cataclysmal
• noisy
• riotous
• furious
• clamorous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• peaceful
• undisturbed
• serene
• placid
• tranquil
• unperturbed
• untroubled
• unshaken

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• turbulent
• rough
• tumultuous
• wild
• stormy
• brutal
• rugged
• harsh
• bleak
• violent
• raging
• severe
• unsettled
• blustery
• blustering
• inclement
• nasty
• unquiet
• roily
• raw
• squally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• quiet
• peaceful
• serene
• placid
• tranquil
• clear
• bright
• halcyon
• sunny
• fair
• cloudless
• sunshiny
• unclouded
• clement

4

as in bleak

marked by wet and windy conditions

stay indoors this weekend as the weather promises to be tempestuous

Synonyms & Similar Words

• turbulent
• bleak
• stormy
• rough
• rainy
• snowy
• inclement
• dirty
• nasty
• raw
• foul
• squally
• gusty
• windswept
• blustery
• windblown
• breezy
• hazy
• misty
• murky
• overcast
• blowy
• cloudy
• blustering
• foggy
• sunless
• soupy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clear
• bright
• sunny
• fair
• cloudless
• sunshiny
• unclouded
• pleasant
• calm
• clement
• peaceful
• serene
• placid
• rainless
• balmy
• halcyon

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tempestuous

But portraying Odysseus, he was tasked with smashing swords, scaling mountains and sailing tempestuous waters, all while spiraling about the state of humanity. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 July 2026

In the Faroe Islands, Nature Rewards Patience The remote archipelago is welcoming more visitors every year—but a tempestuous climate and steadfast way of life encourage travelers to bend. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026

The Allied Expeditionary Force could not get troops onto Continental Europe if Mother Nature was feeling tempestuous. — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

Fraser plays the legendary general (and future president) as a tempestuous mountain of a man, a far cry from the modest and even-keeled Eisenhower of record. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 May 2026

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