TURMOIL Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

turmoil

noun

ˈtər-ˌmȯi(-ə)l

Definition of turmoil

as in unrest

a disturbed or uneasy state was in turmoil most of the night, trying to convince himself he had made the right decision

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity avoided the turmoil of the mall during the holiday season

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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 turmoil The disaster is an early test for 36-year-old Prime Minister Balen Shah, who took office in March after months of political turmoil. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 Zai’s internal struggle is unfolding against the much broader turmoil of student protests and rising news reports of violence against women, creating a sense of imperilment in the city. — Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026 Just months later Ed went belly-up amid turmoil with the company that helped create it, the LA Times reported. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026 Michigan, after a year of turmoil after the firing of Sherrone Moore, hired Kyle Whittingham away from Utah, a head coach known for his consistency and steadiness. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turmoil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turmoil

Noun

The setting is contemporary Paris in crisis, when civil unrest, rather amorphously presented apart from increasing numbers of military on the streets, makes evening strolls potentially problematic.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
This month, the State Department updated its travel advisory for Peru, warning Americans about crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of unrest

Noun

The third round of Premier League matches brought yet more controversy, including an unpunished kick to the head in a London derby and confusion around a goal disallowed for handball.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
In a work so dense with references, mistakes will sprout like crabgrass; write a big book on André Le Nôtre’s formal gardens and the earthworm experts will gather to deride your confusion.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of confusion

Noun

The front retreats to the north, but chances of rain stick around into early Friday as the shortwave (small disturbance) pushes out of the area.

— Michael Autovino, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
That disturbance can travel eastward from the Tibetan Plateau as a large-scale atmospheric wave, known as a Tibetan Plateau-Rocky Mountain Wave train.

— Yongkang Xue, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of disturbance

Noun

The excitement kicks off with a Super Bowl rematch Wednesday night between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.

— Chad Graff, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Mitch frantically tuned in on his iPad and tried to contain his excitement as his brother had an outstanding debut, nearly leading the Chargers to victory.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

Yet the notice has also raised a stir in the mathematics community for another reason.

— Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Maybe removing Joel Shapiro's Blue so summarily from its perch at the Kennedy Center will make people even more eager to seek out the towering figure who caused such a stir.

— Scott Simon, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of stir

Noun

In a time of strained Spanish-American relations, Kuss is doing his part in easing diplomatic tensions.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
When Jenn and Emily return, Shannon tries to cut the tension by talking about jarred pizza sauce (the only real laugh-out-loud moment of the episode), but there’s no salvaging this night.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

Armondo Blount had Miami’s only sack, and PFF credited UM with only seven quarterback hurries (three by Blount, and one apiece by Omar Thornton, Chase Smith, Lightfoot and Justin Scott).

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
In hurry-and-scurry mode, Katalyst built a robotic spacecraft called LINK, which launched on July 3 to meet up with Swift and haul it to a higher orbit.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurry

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turkeys

turmoil

turmoils

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“Turmoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turmoil. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of turmoil

noun

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