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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 turmoil His comments ranged widely, covering the latest battlefield developments, efforts to counter Russian ballistic attacks, the state of peace negotiations, Ukraine’s budgetary challenges and the political turmoil surrounding Fedorov’s dismissal. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 If there was any optimism for year 2, there aren’t any signs yet from an offseason that has only brought more turmoil. — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 Securing passage for Iraqi tankers was also one of Baghdad’s main requests during Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s visit to Iraq, according to IRNA, with Iraq having been hard hit by the turmoil in the waterway. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 The administrative turmoil has been difficult for faculty, according to a statement from the college’s faculty union. — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turmoil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turmoil

Noun

That march, an inflection point in the Civil Rights Movement, also came at a fraught moment for the country, when economic headwinds, civil unrest, political division and the war in Vietnam bitterly divided Americans.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
That march, an inflection point in the Civil Rights Movement, came at a fraught moment for the country, when economic headwinds, civil unrest, political division and the Vietnam War bitterly divided Americans.

— Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of unrest

Noun

Trouble with the way samples are handled or the presence of other medical conditions such as kidney problems or viral illnesses can also lead to confusion with interpreting the results.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Over the past week and a half, Wattpad users across social media have expressed varying degrees of confusion and outrage over their belief that the fanfiction site has introduced restrictive new rules.

— Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of confusion

Noun

The smallest robot was the most agile of the three, and the largest one was the best at maintaining its trajectory when faced with disturbances meant to throw it off course.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
On Thursday a tropical disturbance managed to overcome headwinds to become a tropical storm.

— Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of disturbance

Noun

Stewart, while offering advice on ownership challenges, expresses pride and excitement for Briscoe, noting their relationship will evolve from idol/driver to friendly competitors.

— Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
But there’s also excitement over the growing signs of a connection between Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

Among them was a Washington think tank that caused a stir with a paper that proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 to shore up the retirement trust fund.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Just over 100 years later, Genesis executives posted up at the same historic place aiming to once again cause a stir.

— Marco Della Cava, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of stir

Noun

This week, Shin stated that despite easing US-Iran tensions, inflation in South Korea is expected to remain elevated for a prolonged period.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The two deaths linked to measles that Pennsylvania health officials announced this week set off a flurry of political sparring, misinformation and confusion that only added to the tension over the country’s highest measles burden in 35 years.

— Jason Kane, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

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
No matter your hurry, overloading your washing machine will produce a headache of a different sort (and might even cost you more money).

— Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurry

Browse Nearby Words

turkeys

turmoil

turmoils

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“Turmoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turmoil. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of turmoil

noun

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