TURBULENCE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

turbulence

noun

Definition of turbulence

as in upheaval

a state of violence, confusion, and disorder There was much turbulence in their town after a string of tragedies.

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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 turbulence Shares keep hitting new record highs, though hit a bit of turbulence this week. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 9 July 2026 Weekly Newsletter The Golden Age of musicals ended in the turbulence of the 1960s. — Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 8 July 2026 And in this relationship between him and Robby, it’s packed with all kinds of emotions and turbulence, almost like a brotherly relationship. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 July 2026 The higher the rally in technology high-flyers, the louder the anxiety around a new wave of turbulence in the group. — Bernard Goyder, Fortune, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for turbulence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulence

Noun

Amid all the upheaval and seemingly inconsistent interpretation of rules, Bill Ford appears to be asking for a strategy beyond exclusion that also might withstand a regime change or two.

— Adam Ismail, The Drive, 16 July 2026
Other players find trade speculation stressful, a reasonable response to the sudden life upheaval that ensues.

— Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of upheaval

Noun

Delhi Police said Wangchuk was taken to hospital after his health worsened during the hunger strike, and that a brief commotion occurred when some protesters tried to block the move.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
The commotion was so loud that Netanyahu left the chamber, sitting out the vote entirely.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Definition of commotion

Noun

In the shoe segment, running also continues to fuel excitement for the brand, which was front and center during another major sports moment this spring.

— Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 20 July 2026
Of course, all of this excitement is in large part thanks to Nolan’s unique brand of filmmaking.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 20 July 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

The untethered AUVs hover above the seabed instead of dragging equipment across it, reducing sediment disturbance and limiting ecosystem disruption.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
The Saharan Air Layer can suppress thunderstorm development and increase atmospheric stability across parts of the tropical Atlantic, temporarily reducing the odds that disturbances develop into tropical storms or hurricanes.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Definition of disturbance

Noun

Next year’s game is scheduled for the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field for the first time since 1990, but is threatened by possible labor strife.

— Ronald Blum, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
The transfer of the Chelsea art space is only the epilogue for Marlborough’s multi-year breakdown—the gallery’s closure in 2024 came after years of escalating strife and discord.

— News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2026

Definition of strife

Noun

Excellent job, acknowledges both her physical transformation and that her mouth can get her into more trouble than mine does at the underwear party in Fire Island.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Rodriguez first noticed his symptoms on the court, experiencing bad headaches, trouble with balance and motor skills.

— Mary Ella Hastings Updated July 16, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026

Definition of trouble

Noun

The Cook County Department of Public Health is working to counteract vaccine misinformation, myths and confusion regarding vaccines as part of its efforts to increase vaccination rates.

— Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
There’s been a lot of excitement, and a lot of questions, and a lot of confusion.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2026

Definition of confusion

Noun

So then this kind of social turmoil also with the economic turmoil, inflation was really, really high for a number of years in the '90s.

— Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
First signs of turmoil emerged in July last year, when LuisaViaRoma revealed plans to streamline its business operations by shutting its unit and office in Milan.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

Definition of turmoil

Browse Nearby Words

turboprops

turbulence

turbulent

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“Turbulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulence. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of turbulence

noun

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