1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
in the tumult of the evacuation from the coast, we accidentally left on the television, which was of course tuned to the local newscast breathlessly reporting on the hurricane we were fleeing
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2
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the political tumult that swept the American colonies in the late 1700s
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3
as in roar
a violent shouting
went to the window to see what the great tumult was and discovered a crowd of demonstrators marching down the street
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tumult
But some Democrats worry her mayoral record during the tumult of the pandemic, which included struggles to deal with violent protests and lawlessness, along with her stunning decision not to seek a second term would hobble her bid.
—
Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
He was formed amid the ideological tumult of postwar West Germany in the 1960s and ’70s.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Reagan amid the tumult and tectonic fracturing of the 1960s Civil Rights and Free Speech movements.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
When Pinatubo started convulsing and belching steam in April of that year, scientists from the United States and the Philippines deployed an array of instruments that tracked the volcano’s inner tumult.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumult
Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
He was formed amid the ideological tumult of postwar West Germany in the 1960s and ’70s.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Reagan amid the tumult and tectonic fracturing of the 1960s Civil Rights and Free Speech movements.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
When Pinatubo started convulsing and belching steam in April of that year, scientists from the United States and the Philippines deployed an array of instruments that tracked the volcano’s inner tumult.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumult
Noun
-
Winnetka’s Village Council put an end to the latest commotion over its lakefront by opposing a project that would build chain-link fencing for dogs on Centennial Beach.—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
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Those seated in the gunner or engineer positions will also be treated to additional clips of Grogu via their adjacent flight panels, the young alien here portrayed as something of a playful pet of a child who is exaggeratedly chill during the commotion.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
The rule, adopted before the 2020 season but not implemented until this year due to the upheavals caused by the coronavirus pandemic, states that a team cannot use a position player on the mound unless there is a difference of six or more runs between the two teams.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Jennifer Garner is unpacking the 'upheaval' in family life that came from her 2015 split from ex-husband Ben Affleck.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Then Zverev wasted a 3-1 lead in the tiebreaker, which Cobolli concluded with a forehand winner up the line that produced a roar from the crowd.—
Andrew Dampf,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Sleek Noise-cancelling Headphones From the roar of the engine to conversations from nearby neighbors, plane travel can often be noisy, even if you’re seated in first class.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Two teens detained in Lee’s Summit In Lee’s Summit, police spent nearly two hours breaking up a series of incidents and disturbances involving teenagers at the city’s Downtown Days festival Saturday night.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
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Oriyomi was issued a trespass warning and allegedly caused a disturbance by recording officers with his phone before leaving the airport, per court documents.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
Noun
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The Next Generation Action Network, a social justice group supporting Anthony, has compared him to Kyle Rittenhouse, the teen acquitted of all charges in 2021 for killing two people during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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Police, familiar with unrest in the city, were on standby with cordons of armored cars, which were quickly pelted with projectiles by the rioters.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
9 June 2026
Noun
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While these instruments might be heard loudly on the streets, they have been banned at the World Cup this year in Mexico to prevent excessive noise.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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From noise-cancelling headphones to cozy travel wraps, here are the seven travel essentials worth splurging on, according to a luxury travel agent.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Gold is a safe-haven asset that investors gravitate toward when economic and political turmoil erupts, sending waves through the markets.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
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The new sanctions come as the administration is updating war plans to respond to potential turmoil on the island and after the Justice Department charged Raúl Castro for the murder of four people in the 1996 shootdown of two planes of the exile organization Brothers to the Rescue.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
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At that point, a loud drum fill announces itself, snarling electric guitars kick in and McCartney’s trademark howls of old arrive in time for a fairly kick-ass chorus.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 May 2026
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It’s installed bioacoustic cameras in Yellowstone to track wolves and analyze their howls.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tumult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumult. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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