turbulent

adjective

ˈtər-byə-lənt How to pronounce turbulent (audio)
Definition of turbulentnext
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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 turbulent The filing follows a turbulent year for the department store. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026 Kansas has emerged as an unlikely battleground in a turbulent midterm election year for Republicans, who are striving to hold onto slim majorities in both chambers of Congress. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026 The production decision also follows a turbulent development history. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2026 If the past eight years of Brazilian politics are any guide, Lula’s next administration is likely to be a turbulent one in which enduring divisions at home and abroad are continually tested. — Anthony W. Pereira, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
  1. violent
  2. rough
  3. bleak
  4. tumultuous
  5. ferocious
  6. wild
  7. rainy
  8. sporadic
Adjective
  • The teen also faces an allegation of having a prior conviction for a violent offense, which qualifies as a strike under California law.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Bass attempted to reverse her fortunes by touting her administration’s progress in reducing violent crime, fast-tracking affordable housing and bringing down unsheltered homelessness — the number of people living outside and in their cars — by 11%.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • An Australian man survived more than two months lost at sea in 2023 with his dog Bella after rough seas damaged their boat and its electronics system.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • However, neither rating guarantees that a folding screen or hinge will survive years of rough treatment.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • His isolated existence is bleak, especially for such a bighearted person naturally inclined to love others.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But in a bleak indicator of the current political climate, the bait was inflammatory content about Muslims.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • The tumultuous takeover at the start of the pandemic was just the beginning of Chapek’s CEO woes.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Sneed’s safe adult during his tumultuous childhood was his fifth-grade teacher.
    — PJ Green October 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of tumultuous
Adjective
  • The rising, warming sea and ferocious winter storms have battered the road.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • One of the most celebrated objects from the India Museum is a mechanical wooden sculpture of a ferocious tiger gnawing at a British soldier’s throat.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • The Colts have been engaged in trade discussions with players like Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs after dealing Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner to kick off what many expect to be a wild trade deadline period.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Representations of fauna include horses, deer, wild oxen, and at least one bear, though identification is difficult due to the limited depiction of details such as eyes, nostrils, hooves, manes, and coats.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • Being a kid and remembering that, rainy nights and then moving to California and glamping in the desert.
    — Joe Lynch, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Wentz threw three touchdown passes in the rally to beat the Packers and started the rainy victory against the Chicago Bears in Week 2 at Soldier Field, going 23-for-39 for 276 yards with six sacks and no turnovers.
    — Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of rainy
Adjective
  • Police are prepared but sporadic tensions flare Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that 70,000 police officers were deployed, backed by armored vehicles, drones and helicopters.
    — Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • More sporadic light showers will likely to continue on and off across the Sacramento Valley through the remainder of the afternoon and evening Tuesday as the center of the low pressure moves directly past Sacramento.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of sporadic

Browse Nearby Words

turbulence
turbulent
turbulently
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of wabi-sabi

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All