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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions
stay indoors this weekend as the weather promises to be tempestuous
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 tempestuous
That should be a clue to why stars appear to twinkle, since the ISS orbits 254 miles (409 km) above the Earth — and its tempestuous atmosphere.
—
Joe Rao, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2025
An affirmative vision of what the world should be is the inspiration for many of those who, in these tempestuous early months of Trump 2.0, have taken meaningful risks—acts of American dissent.
—Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
The move followed a tempestuous meeting between the president and Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, on February 21.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
The new coach’s tempestuous history does create even more emphasis on the next major hire Maryland must make, a replacement for athletic director Damon Evans.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Joe Rao, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2025
An affirmative vision of what the world should be is the inspiration for many of those who, in these tempestuous early months of Trump 2.0, have taken meaningful risks—acts of American dissent.
—Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
The move followed a tempestuous meeting between the president and Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, on February 21.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
The new coach’s tempestuous history does create even more emphasis on the next major hire Maryland must make, a replacement for athletic director Damon Evans.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempestuous
Adjective
-
Individual plots veer between cartoonish farce (the gang accidentally makes friends with a violent criminal) and more mundane problems (Billie loses her insurance and gets into medical debt).—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
28 May 2025
-
This sweeping action included both nonviolent participants and those convicted of violent crimes against law enforcement.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
This time, there’s still some uneasiness around the organization, mainly rooted in its turbulent recent past.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
These steps prevent, rather than heal, costly losses that weaken a company’s cash position, especially in turbulent times.—
Dean Kaplan,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
That gave me my confidence back after a pretty rough departure from NBC.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
22 May 2025
-
The 200 square miles of surrounding coral reefs proved rough for mariners, but divers now reap the benefits with some 300 shipwrecks to explore, from the 192-foot American schooner Constellation that sank during World War II to the Mary Celestia, a Civil War era paddle-wheeler.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
She and her fellow hybrids are sent to investigate the site, leading to the encounter of mysterious life forms — including one ferocious Xenomorph.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
-
Both general elections are expected to be competitive, but only the New Jersey Democratic primary has featured ferocious competition out of the four party primaries.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
The feedback was fierce—storyboards dismantled, ideas shredded—but the environment was psychologically safe.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Caron was used to seeing my fiery side, the fierce competitor, the demanding coach.—
Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
New York trailed by 13 with 5:38 left in the game and tried to continue the series’ streak of someone — Knicks or Pacers — making a furious fourth quarter comeback.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
27 May 2025
-
Connecticut has funneled $12.5 billion in surpluses since 2017 to build reserves and scale back pension debt, a furious pace that far outstrips any similar effort in modern history.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
Additionally, high levels of volcanic gases in the area pose a risk to those nearby, especially individuals with breathing problems.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
27 May 2025
-
There’s a volcanic hot disc, an icy cold disc, an aquatic disc, and a verdant blush disc.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
But then a summer came and went, with rabid fans left waiting (due to the writers' and actors' guild strikes) to see which Fisher brother, if any, Belly chooses in the end of the onscreen adaptation.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
-
Lawrence often has this frisky, rabid grin that’s irresistible to watch but also scary.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tempestuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempestuous. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share