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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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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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
Trent Alexander-Arnold is experiencing the most turbulent year of his career.
—
Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
The push for electronic voting comes after a turbulent period for the Caucus.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Despite its politically turbulent history, Montenegro's influences from other cultures are evident in its food, architecture, and even language.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Still, after three turbulent years of hyperinflation and political unrest, by 1924 the Weimar Republic had entered a period of relative stability.
—Daniel Ziblatt, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
The push for electronic voting comes after a turbulent period for the Caucus.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Despite its politically turbulent history, Montenegro's influences from other cultures are evident in its food, architecture, and even language.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Still, after three turbulent years of hyperinflation and political unrest, by 1924 the Weimar Republic had entered a period of relative stability.
—Daniel Ziblatt, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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Researchers measured violent and property crime data from 2023, fatal car accidents, drug overdose deaths and excessive drinking rates.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
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Alderman Raymond Lopez, a Democrat from Chicago’s 15th Ward, wants Trump to send the National Guard to his city because of the violent crime to which people in his city are subjected.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Homers reheat Royals’ cold offense The Royals’ offense has hit another rough patch.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
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Additionally, avoid using any pads or scrubbers with a rough surface that could damage the cabinet finish.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Matters only got more bleak in the sixth, when Rushing fouled a ball off his right shin, smoking a ball right above where his guard ended and immediately going down in pain.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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The one constant is the unhappy couple’s bleak surroundings.—
Adam Solomons,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Gators entered the game ranked 13th in the nation and appeared primed to make a run in the loaded SEC, but things have obviously taken a tumultuous turn for Billy Napier's group.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
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His once-tumultuous relationships with Richards and Mueller (both of whom are featured in the documentary) are in positive places now.—
Gillian Telling,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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So all of us were just young and hungry and had the energy to be ferocious.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
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In the pic, Garfield plays a legendary leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Zoo life can be a lux experience for these Arizonan species, but for their wild counterparts living in the Sonoran desert, there is no escape from the region’s extreme heat and extended drought.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The Cubs, who hold a 3 1/2 game lead over the San Diego Padres for the top National League wild-card spot and sit 5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, go for the sweep over Atlanta on Wednesday.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The North Face Men’s Alta Vista Rain Jacket Fall brings the start of the rainy season in many climates.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, the onset of the rainy season has exacerbated already deplorable conditions, transforming dust into thick sludge, flooding fragile shelters, and bringing swarms of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Despite fierce opposition to certain kids books by conservative activists, Maricopa County, which serves 144,000 library cardholders, received only 12 formal letters asking for reevaluation of library books and DVDs since 2021.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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In August, the discontent grew when a leak showed that the White House's forthcoming MAHA strategy report would sidestep tougher limits on pesticides and other agrochemicals, bowing to fierce industry pressure.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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