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
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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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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turbulent
These lines of philosophical questioning come from a deeply personal place for Higuchi, who went through a turbulent time during adolescence.
—
Sara Merican, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
Markets have been turbulent ever since as trade policy uncertainty leaves investors uneasy.
—Chris Dilella, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
But the turbulent nature of his career since exploding onto the scene almost 15 years ago makes his victory at Augusta even sweeter, says Heaven.
—Ben Morse and Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
Overanalyzing every win and loss will make your journey feel more turbulent than necessary.
—Nelson Chu, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Sara Merican, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
Markets have been turbulent ever since as trade policy uncertainty leaves investors uneasy.
—Chris Dilella, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
But the turbulent nature of his career since exploding onto the scene almost 15 years ago makes his victory at Augusta even sweeter, says Heaven.
—Ben Morse and Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
Overanalyzing every win and loss will make your journey feel more turbulent than necessary.
—Nelson Chu, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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Related: Trump administration captured 'very violent' top street gang leader.—
Krystal Nurse,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Under the plan, the department will also combine two bureaus focused on arms control and eliminate units focused on countering violent extremism from the department’s counterterrorism bureau.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman had a rough outing against the New York Yankees on Sunday in the first game of a doubleheader.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Oz has had 30 (homers) and 100 (RBIs) before and can have some rough patches and still has a way of coming out of it.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The observations from Drewry’s and Moody’s, as well as the scenario floated by McCown, follow a bleak outlook for the middle of May out of the biggest port in the U.S.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
25 Apr. 2025
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Complicating matters further is a bleak hydrological outlook.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Polls show Trump’s approval numbers have fallen in recent weeks after the tumultuous moves around the tariffs and the volatile stock market.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
19 Apr. 2025
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The Nuggets’ upcoming playoff journey follows a tumultuous organizational upheaval which, with only three games remaining in the season, saw the firings of ten-year head coach Michael Malone – tied for the latest such ouster in a season in NBA history – as well as general manager Calvin Booth.—
Joel Rush,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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There’s scenario No. 1: Either Carter, a ferocious All-American pass rusher, or Hunter, a generational wide receiver-cornerback hybrid, is available, and the Patriots can add a premium talent at a position of need in what can only be described as a front-office dream.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
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In other words, if Instagram had even somewhat appeared as a future threat to Facebook or Facebook’s competition, there would have been a ferocious bidding war for Instagram that would have pushed its purchase price far, far above $1 billion.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Niemann, a grandmaster, beat Carlsen in an upset in a 2022 match, leading Carlsen to withdraw from the tournament and setting off wild speculation about whether Niemann could have cheated, though no such allegations were ever proven.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2025
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This ferocious, steep-banked corner possesses a wild 24% gradient, a nod to Spain’s bullfighting heritage.—
Kanzah Maktoum,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The agency recalled that between 2022 and 2024, around 60% of annual admissions for severe acute malnutrition occurred during the rainy season, meaning that up to 462,000 children could be affected this year if the trend holds.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Areas affected by the Harmattan experience significant dryness, unlike the rainy season when the monsoon wind (from the south) prevails.—
Christophe Lavaysse,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Melania Trump has courted controversy, garnered attention for her fashion Trump's fashion choices are the subject of fierce controversy and constant attention.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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Orlando City and Atlanta United will meet on Saturday in a fierce rivalry MLS matchup, a game soccer fans in the U.S. won't want to miss.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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