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
As the weak signals from the global positioning satellites pass through this suddenly turbulent region, they get thrown off course.
—
Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 22 June 2025
Rather than focus on the making of Jaws, a topic that had been covered so extensively over the years, the former angled for a thematic exploration of the classic picture, viewing its turbulent production as a reflection of the plot itself.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
San Diego’s most turbulent budget season in at least a decade took another turn Tuesday when Mayor Todd Gloria vetoed some last-minute cuts and expenditures the City Council added to the budget a week ago.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Analyst Ebrahim Poonawala said Goldman has a storied history of navigating turbulent periods.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 22 June 2025
Rather than focus on the making of Jaws, a topic that had been covered so extensively over the years, the former angled for a thematic exploration of the classic picture, viewing its turbulent production as a reflection of the plot itself.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
San Diego’s most turbulent budget season in at least a decade took another turn Tuesday when Mayor Todd Gloria vetoed some last-minute cuts and expenditures the City Council added to the budget a week ago.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Analyst Ebrahim Poonawala said Goldman has a storied history of navigating turbulent periods.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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Swart said another giveaway is the hotel accommodations that are arranged for violent rioters.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2025
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The appellate panel found Trump likely satisfied the legal threshold under Section 10 of the U.S. Code, and sided with the administration’s argument that local law enforcement had failed to contain violent attacks on federal agents and property.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Ransom Canyon star Josh Duhamel didn’t have a rough time getting to know the set of his new film Off the Grid because the actor lives off the grid in real-life.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Avoid scrubbing the microwave’s interior with rough materials like steel wool or abrasive sponges.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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During that bleak era, Che-Chung Tsai, a researcher at the University of Washington, contacted several companies, seeking experimental drugs for use in an animal study.—
Jon Cohen,
New Yorker,
24 June 2025
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That said, Google’s latest survey paints a bleak picture.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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The center had experienced a tumultuous start to 2024-25 in Vancouver, clashing with fellow star Elias Pettersson to the point that the Canucks believed there was no path forward with both on their roster, president Jim Rutherford told the Globe and Mail.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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As a new trailer for the film recently teased, the film also digs into Springsteen’s sometimes tumultuous childhood, in particular his complicated relationship with his father, Douglas.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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The Manchester City striker is one of the global game’s most ferocious and intelligent goalscorers.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Now, she’s added another competitive event to her list of favorites: F1, or Formula 1, largely considered the world's most ferocious and high-tech form of auto racing.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Each spring, the officials explained, the women travelled out to these islands and built little wooden huts for wild eider ducks, protecting them from predators.—
James Rebanks
June 26,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
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In a wild twist, Mason, who ran the point for KU’s alumni team last July, has switched squads and will play for Boeheim’s Army, a collection of former Syracuse players.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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The celebration blends sacred ritual and community spectacle: locals craft candlelit boats and set them afloat on the Mekong to honor the water spirits and bid farewell to the rainy season.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Hartford Courant Spaun, 34, survived the challenges of the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania amid rainy conditions over the weekend for his first major victory.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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The Supreme Court cases that set off the fiercest conflicts among the justices aren’t always the hot-button ones.—
Dan McLaughlin,
National Review,
25 June 2025
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Roca—with his pants torn and blood showing through—returns to fight and ultimately brings the bull down with one fierce thrust, leaving the sword in its back.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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