tumultuous

adjective

tu̇-ˈməl-chə-wəs How to pronounce tumultuous (audio)
Definition of tumultuousnext
1
as in turbulent
marked by sudden or violent disturbance one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of the region

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2
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements watched the tumultuous weather from the dry safety of our house

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3
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity after a tumultuous day of trading, the stock market was down 500 points

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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 tumultuous Jan Mulkens, a physicist, joined the company during this tumultuous period. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 Lucca, Italy The season concludes with a tumultuous visit to Lucca, Italy, where the members of the G7 are holding a summit. — Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026 Friends of the couple previously said the two had a tumultuous relationship. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 The couple had some tumultuous times, getting entangled in a love triangle with fellow Disney Channel star Miley Cyrus at one point. — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tumultuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumultuous
  1. turbulent
  2. rough
  3. violent
  4. ferocious
  5. fierce
  6. furious
Adjective
  • Kansas has emerged as an unlikely battleground in a turbulent midterm election year for Republicans, who are striving to hold onto slim majorities in both chambers of Congress.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The production decision also follows a turbulent development history.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • The Pistons have raced out to a hot start, while the Knicks are still searching for answers after a rough opening week.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Molcajetes constructed of lava rock with pits creating a rough and not smooth nor easily cleanable surface were in the facility.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • Government critics and human rights campaigners have alleged that police tactics in the last month have been unnecessarily violent.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • But complicating the government's efforts to bring the French deficit under control are widespread protests that have turned increasingly violent since starting as a Parisian student movement last month.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • One of the most celebrated objects from the India Museum is a mechanical wooden sculpture of a ferocious tiger gnawing at a British soldier’s throat.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Wilson rocked the stanchion with a ferocious dunk in transition in the fourth quarter, only to have his next attempt at a full-court sprint smacked away by Jamal Shead, leading to a Leonard 3-pointer on the other end.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • Projects that communities had originally welcomed were suddenly met with fierce opposition, and companies had to improve.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • What is to come afterwards is when their world is on fire as the fierce Battle Of Okinawa Island takes them , and us, back to sad reality.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Coach Lance Leipold was furious after the call, which came on a KU sack.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Americans are furious about the state of our healthcare system.
    — Dylan Scott, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of furious

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tumultuous
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Cite this Entry

“Tumultuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumultuous. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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