1
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
the turbulent struggle for civil rights that shook up American society in the 1960s
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
the turbulent rapids of the river were certainly daunting to those of us who were new to river rafting
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions
expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in tumultuous
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
these are turbulent, dangerous times in a region known for being a powder keg
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turbulent
Since its launch in 1999, Chandra has allowed scientists to peer into some of the universe's most extreme environments, from the turbulent remnants of exploded stars to the superheated gas swirling around black holes.
—
Victoria Corless, Space.com, 7 May 2025
Thoughtful strategy and effective creativity will always win out, especially during turbulent times.
Armaan Mehta, cofounder, Odore
Linking operational resilience with relationship resilience is the new leadership mandate.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 7 May 2025
Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation This championship success follows a turbulent but defining period for Morgan over the past year.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
Her symptoms were exacerbated during a turbulent flight to the Cayman Islands for the Huskies’ two games there.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Victoria Corless, Space.com, 7 May 2025
Thoughtful strategy and effective creativity will always win out, especially during turbulent times.
Armaan Mehta, cofounder, Odore
Linking operational resilience with relationship resilience is the new leadership mandate.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 7 May 2025
Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation This championship success follows a turbulent but defining period for Morgan over the past year.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
Her symptoms were exacerbated during a turbulent flight to the Cayman Islands for the Huskies’ two games there.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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Europeans, Australians and Americans organized violent, racially motivated riots and lawmakers began enacting anti-Chinese immigration legislation, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
16 May 2025
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Some liberal critics on social media say that Republicans did not seem to take issue when the same slogan — or even more violent rhetoric — was targeted at a Democratic president.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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However, there are some plants that are less appealing to animals, such as those with pungent scents, fuzzy leaves, prickly or rough foliage, or a bitter taste.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
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Its new pricing could be an effort to attract American car buyers after rough Q1.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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This bleak vision of Hollywood makes for a fascinating backdrop.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
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If Southampton fail to eke out a point on Saturday in the clash of the doomed, things look decidedly bleak.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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UnitedHealth Group targeted in largest-ever health industry data breach With UnitedHealth Group looking toward the future, many are still grappling with a tumultuous year for the company.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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After a tumultuous season filled with questionable decisions and fan discontent, the Dallas Mavericks defied the odds and won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery.—
Doyle Rader,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The crisis is in plain view and the wind is ferocious.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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His Hozier cover was at turns strategic and nuanced, then unleashed and ferocious.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
5 May 2025
Adjective
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The duo embark on a series of wild misadventures, with Turk’s extreme coaching tactics pushing Bob into increasingly unpredictable and outrageous situations.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
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Choose from a variety of wild Alaskan crab legs or domestic crab claws.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Zara came extra prepared for the rainy outdoor appearance, wearing protective stoppers on the heels of her shoes to prevent her from sinking into the wet grass.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
14 May 2025
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On a rainy Easter at his home in the South of France, on the last day of March in 2024, Clooney heard from Katzenberg, who made his ask—a fund-raiser in June.—
Jake Tapper,
New Yorker,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The old model of fierce independence is a luxury many can't afford during this transition.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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Tehran claims its program is peaceful but has threatened fierce retaliation and a possible withdrawal from the nonproliferation treaty if its nuclear sites are attacked.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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