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
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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
Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
While Kim guided the Theresa through a welter of charterboats trolling the shoreline for blues and stripers, the brothers sat on the flying bridge, joking and trading stories and scanning the flat empty sea for the black dorsal fin of basking swordfish.
—Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
By analyzing the positions of ten Southeast Asian countries on a welter of issues relating to China and the United States, one thing becomes evident: over the past 30 years, many of these countries have gradually but discernibly shifted away from the United States and toward China.
—Yuen Foong Khong, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Sharpened in purpose by his criminal prosecutions and near death at the hands of a would-be assassin, Trump 47 would not be lost in a welter of self-defeating distractions the way Trump 45 had been.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for welter
Noun
Looming over the welter of domestic problems is typhoon Trump.
—Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
While Kim guided the Theresa through a welter of charterboats trolling the shoreline for blues and stripers, the brothers sat on the flying bridge, joking and trading stories and scanning the flat empty sea for the black dorsal fin of basking swordfish.
—Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
By analyzing the positions of ten Southeast Asian countries on a welter of issues relating to China and the United States, one thing becomes evident: over the past 30 years, many of these countries have gradually but discernibly shifted away from the United States and toward China.
—Yuen Foong Khong, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Sharpened in purpose by his criminal prosecutions and near death at the hands of a would-be assassin, Trump 47 would not be lost in a welter of self-defeating distractions the way Trump 45 had been.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for welter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for welter
Noun
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The Italian island of Palmarola is so close to Rome that it can be reached in a day trip, but far enough away that the commotion of the capital seems like another planet.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
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Churchgoers began whispering to one another about what to do, and then several children burst into tears during the commotion, Rebecca said.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The result also spotlights conference championships’ awkward fit in the current system, particularly given the fact that conference expansion has led to jumbles atop each league’s standings.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
7 Dec. 2025
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Ray’s most chaotic photograms—jumbles that push out of the frame or look like time bombs ready to explode—find echoes in his films, projected on the back walls, a show in themselves.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Meteorologists are forecasting travel havoc this weekend, as a major winter storm is set to slam into the middle and Southern US beginning Friday, January 23.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Jan. 2026
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Max wreaks some more havoc after the excursion by gunning it on the tender while towing guests on the tube.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If Washington State, Oregon State, Fresno State and Texas State continue to wallow, the Pac-12 will be hard-pressed to match, much less overtake, the Big East.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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Donald of Deliria is wallowing in brute force.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Drinking has been found to increase the risk of many cancers, metabolic dysfunction, gut microbiome disturbances and mitochondrial toxins, Hyman said.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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However, these components proved too vulnerable to the extreme conditions, including intense shock waves and aerodynamic disturbances at low altitudes.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After applauding the win, Murphy didn’t stay to watch Hudson win her category (Best Supporting Actress) or to enjoy his costars’ medley of the film’s three Best Original Song nominees, resulting in speculation he was angered by his loss.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
3 Jan. 2026
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Here's where to base yourself while discovering Portugal's vast medley of landscapes.—
Deanna Romano,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Airlines began preemptively canceling flights ahead of the storm's impacts to avoid some of the travel chaos over the weekend.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 Jan. 2026
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Expect interference in the title bout, chaos in the Rumble match, or a future three-way.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, butterflies drift overhead, penguins shuffle, and the museum’s living roof flourishes with native plants from as far as Borneo and Madagascar.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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The quarterback shuffle, though, continues.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Welter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/welter. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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