Synonyms of turmoil

turmoil

noun

ˈtər-ˌmȯi(-ə)l 

1

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

• unrest
• confusion
• excitement
• tension
• upheaval
• turbulence
• anxiety
• unease
• chaos
• uneasiness
• restlessness
• disquiet
• trouble
• ferment
• fermentation
• disruption
• agitation
• commotion
• storm
• restiveness
• unquietness
• anarchy
• stir
• Sturm und Drang
• tumult
• hubbub
• perturbation
• unsettlement
• uproar
• disorder
• tumultuousness
• disquietude
• fidgets
• moil
• welter
• inquietude
• queasiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peace
• ease
• calm
• tranquility
• quiet
• order
• peacefulness
• orderliness

2

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity

avoided the turmoil of the mall during the holiday season

Synonyms & Similar Words

• commotion
• disturbance
• stir
• hurry
• fuss
• storm
• noise
• racket
• tumult
• clatter
• hurricane
• fun
• row
• clutter
• hubbub
• hoopla
• bustle
• to-do
• upheaval
• pandemonium
• ruckus
• furore
• zoo
• uproar
• hullabaloo
• furor
• coil
• rumpus
• roar
• kerfuffle
• ado
• welter
• bother
• unrest
• ruction
• flurry
• squall
• hurly-burly
• pother
• bluster
• moil
• stew
• ballyhoo
• blather
• whirl
• hoo-ha
• helter-skelter
• splore
• bobbery
• outcry
• alarums and excursions
• foofaraw
• shindy
• hurry-scurry
• disorder
• cacophony
• hurly
• clamor
• eruption
• hubble-bubble
• din
• howl
• outbreak
• do
• outburst
• williwaw
• hue and cry
• brawl
• flutter
• fray
• scuffle
• fever
• fracas
• melee
• tizzy
• flare-up
• fret
• hassle
• dither
• lather

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• peace
• calm
• tranquility
• stillness
• quiet
• hush
• order
• quietude
• orderliness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of turmoil

The Rutgers product landed in the northeast during a time the Liberty, the WNBA and New York as a whole experienced turmoil. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

The United States and Israel launched an unnecessary campaign that has violated international law, killed at least 1,700 Iranian civilians (including 307 children), caused widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, and deepened regional turmoil. — Michael Fuchs, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026

Perez Hilton’s family has spoken out again following a week of turmoil for the media personality. — Malik Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026

Some of these have seen positive results, while others have experienced psychological turmoil. — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026