TUMULTUOUS Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

tumultuous

adjective

tu̇-ˈməl-chə-wəs

Definition of tumultuous

as in turbulent

marked by sudden or violent disturbance one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of the region

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rough

marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements watched the tumultuous weather from the dry safety of our house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in violent

marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity after a tumultuous day of trading, the stock market was down 500 points

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 tumultuous The domestic violence arrest helped to spark a tumultuous custody battle, during which Sangalang raised concerns about Ortiz’s use of opioids. — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026 That followed the tumultuous tenure of Jim Harbaugh that included a 2023 national title as well as a spying scandal and NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations. — CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026 Giuliani’s ascent to beloved national icon in the final months of his second term as mayor followed an otherwise tumultuous last year in office. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 Despite revolution, invasion, war, and occupation, the artifact somehow survived the most tumultuous decades of French history. — Mark Rice-Oxley, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tumultuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumultuous

Adjective

The oversight hearing underscored Patel’s turbulent tenure, from shouting matches with lawmakers and blended leisure travel to allegations of excessive drinking that spurred calls for his removal and a massive defamation suit.

— Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
The two lawsuits come after a turbulent week for Hoskins, a Republican who became a key player in a dizzying series of legal battles and court decisions over the state’s congressional map.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of turbulent

Adjective

In 2024, Swift joined the Bears as a free agent whose production didn’t match the contract in a rough year overall for the offense.

— Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
After a rough preseason that included missing a block that got Dart crushed and fumbling, Tracy could next lose his spot on the gameday active roster — if not his job entirely — with Najee Harris waiting to step in.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of rough

Adjective

Mayweather’s charges stemmed from a violent encounter between her and Lapattra Jacobs, the mother of one of YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s children.

— Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 16 Sep. 2026
The recent deaths have highlighted high rates of femicide and violent crime in the country and sparked an outcry over the safety of women.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of violent

Adjective

The relationship between Xi and Zhang went back decades, extending not just to their childhoods but all the way back to their fathers, who were comrades in arms in China’s ferocious civil war.

— Jonathan A. Czin, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
The ferocious drummer Martin Chambers, with his knifey sideburns, completed the quartet.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adjective

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway owns BNSF, and the railroad is a fierce critic of Vena’s takeover bid for Norfolk Southern.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Aaron Donald, one of the fiercest pass rushers in NFL history, is coming out of retirement to rejoin the Rams in hopes of winning another Super Bowl title.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

The Lindsay Clancy trial has captivated the nation, spurring furious online debate on the state of maternal healthcare and whether she should be held criminally responsible for killing her three children.

— Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Simply put, the SEC is furious that LSU has challenged the conference’s attempts to enforce its eligibility rules for athletes returning from professional sports.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of furious

Browse Nearby Words

tumults

tumultuous

tumultuously

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tumultuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumultuous. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of tumultuous

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

churlish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes