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
My life was turbulent, exciting, and sad.
—
Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Instead, the dark beads may be the result of winds colliding in Saturn's upper atmosphere, creating turbulent zones that appear as dim patches in the aurora.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The following decade was a turbulent one for Suzy Q's loyalists.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Following a turbulent few weeks in the United States, South Park returned Wednesday with some fresh jabs at current events.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Instead, the dark beads may be the result of winds colliding in Saturn's upper atmosphere, creating turbulent zones that appear as dim patches in the aurora.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The following decade was a turbulent one for Suzy Q's loyalists.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Following a turbulent few weeks in the United States, South Park returned Wednesday with some fresh jabs at current events.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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While Memphis has seen high numbers of violent crimes such as homicides and carjackings in recent years, Democratic and Republican officials have noted decreases this year in some crime categories.—
Devon M. Sayers,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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Even so, to take on one of the most famous women in history — and through a lens so bloody and violent — is a mighty tall order.—
Shirley Halperin,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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So the idea of him playing someone who’s a little rougher and grittier and just completely relentless appealed to him.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
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This medium-sized toad has large reddish-brown eyes and a rough skin texture.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While there is still a chance that Sanders and Colorado can turn things around, the rest of the season is looking bleak.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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From a bleak job hunt upon her arrival in 2016 to undergoing treatment for her second bout with breast cancer during the uncertainty and fear of COVID, Davis recalls her journey through raw vulnerability and splashes of humor.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Rangers are trusting Sullivan to not only bring top-notch hockey knowledge but also stabilize an organization that went through a tumultuous 2024-25 season.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Recent efforts by corporate owners to put their own stamp on the editorial direction of major legacy news organizations have been tumultuous, risking losing their core audience.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In a competition bear-ly more ferocious, 12 chunky brown bears in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve have been battling it out in one of the most cutthroat places on the planet – the internet.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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The numbers may not leap off the page, but one of Sunday’s most exciting clashes was the 60-minute chess match between the Detroit Lions’ run game and the Cleveland Browns’ ferocious defensive front.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Since 2020, the center has cared for 16 mountain lions as well as thousands of other wild animals from baby songbirds to coyotes to bears.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Sep. 2025
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The second is for wild rubber, which consists of working with some 3,000 families that live in the middle of the Amazon forest.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Miami office of the National Weather Service called for a rainy weekend ahead in Florida, and the coast is still facing a high rip current risk from the swells left behind by Hurricane Imelda.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
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The Gators were one of the last SEC schools with an indoor practice facility … despite sitting in a state with rainy Augusts/Septembers and playing in a stadium nicknamed The Swamp.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As Auberge continues expanding into urban markets and deepening its European presence, the challenge will be maintaining that fierce independence at scale.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
6 Oct. 2025
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Rescuers are struggling to reach at least 200 hikers trapped in a Mount Everest valley by an unexpectedly fierce weekend snowstorm that pounded the mountain with snow and heavy rain, according to Chinese state media CCTV.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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