1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
there was a welter of pushing and shoving as people rushed to grab the best seats for the outdoor concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in jumble
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
a welter of junk in the closet, most of which needed to be thrown out
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in havoc
a state in which everything is out of order
the claim that a troop withdrawal would plunge the country into a welter of anarchy and endless civil war
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of welter
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
If Congress set out to further expand health care now, for example, the Brookings Institution, Harvard University, and a welter of other think tanks and universities would churn out policy papers and ideas.
—Jason Furman, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
Frank Taylor, the longtime San Jose redevelopment director who died this month at 87, lived and reigned through a welter of contradictions.
—Scott Herhold, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
For everything else, his recollection is a sometimes overwhelming welter.
—Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for welter
Verb
Adding to the timeliness of this welter of Weill is the composer’s reputation for political courage.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
If Congress set out to further expand health care now, for example, the Brookings Institution, Harvard University, and a welter of other think tanks and universities would churn out policy papers and ideas.
—Jason Furman, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
Frank Taylor, the longtime San Jose redevelopment director who died this month at 87, lived and reigned through a welter of contradictions.
—Scott Herhold, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
For everything else, his recollection is a sometimes overwhelming welter.
—Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for welter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for welter
Noun
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Kernodle put up a fight, and the commotion got the attention of surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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There were two other roommates in the home at the time of the killings that both survived and reported seeing the suspect and hearing commotion that night.—
Gabe Whisnant
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Noun
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In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
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Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As such, bright moonlight will flood the sky through most of that key night and will certainly play havoc with any serious attempts to observe these meteors.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Coach Mike McDaniel’s offense is operating at a fairly efficient rate and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s defense has a front seven that’s capable of creating major havoc in the run and pass games.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Democrats have generally supported pork spending, but both parties end up wallowing in it.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
13 Aug. 2025
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The nature of his position doesn’t allow for self-doubt or wallowing.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Prior to Vance's arrival in the rural vacation spot, the Secret Service reportedly brought disturbances to Charlbury, a village with just 3,000 residents.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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The hurricane center is also tracking two other disturbances, one in the north-central Atlantic and one just off Louisiana’s coast.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Maybe even playing the Super Bowl with a medley of her biggest hits from over the years?—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
15 Aug. 2025
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The medley of five different types of beans and addition of rum make this protein-and flavor-packed dish irresistible.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For families like Briana’s and Daniel’s, those conversations could be the difference between a child finding safety in familiar arms or facing the chaos of the foster system.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
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However, throughout the chaos and oft contentious competition, eventually the feud seemed to fade.—
Staff Author,
Southern Living,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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From ones that incorporate fans to odes to classic binge-worthy TV, with the help of social media, everyone’s creative wheels are turning — and people are learning one new step after another, feet shuffling, turning, stepping with ease.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
4 Aug. 2025
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The coaching staff shuffled its depth chart, handing extra reps to players who had performed well over the previous nine practices and deserved a longer look.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Welter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/welter. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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