1
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
the turbulent struggle for civil rights that shook up American society in the 1960s
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
the turbulent rapids of the river were certainly daunting to those of us who were new to river rafting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions
expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in tumultuous
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
these are turbulent, dangerous times in a region known for being a powder keg
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 turbulent
The Memphis Grizzlies are trying to navigate a turbulent end of the season.
—
Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
It’s been a turbulent few months for West, who has controversially used X to continue doubling down on his antisemitic sentiments, praising Hitler and showing off a Swastika chain after trying to sell Swastika t-shirts.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2025
The markets were up slightly ahead of Trump's announcement, which hit immediately after trading hours came to a close, following a turbulent month in which stocks rose and fell in dramatic fashion as the Republican president and his administration openly discussed their potential plans.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Losses weren’t quite as dire as on Thursday for media and tech stocks, but the morning still signaled a glum end to a turbulent week.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
It’s been a turbulent few months for West, who has controversially used X to continue doubling down on his antisemitic sentiments, praising Hitler and showing off a Swastika chain after trying to sell Swastika t-shirts.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2025
The markets were up slightly ahead of Trump's announcement, which hit immediately after trading hours came to a close, following a turbulent month in which stocks rose and fell in dramatic fashion as the Republican president and his administration openly discussed their potential plans.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Losses weren’t quite as dire as on Thursday for media and tech stocks, but the morning still signaled a glum end to a turbulent week.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
-
Adams said the pair had discussed how to combat violent migrant gangs and embedding more New York Police Department officers into federal task forces.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Bravo’s family said the 28-year-old was ending a violent relationship.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But after a rough start, Budenholzer benched Nurkić and removed him from the rotation.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Two paratroopers were injured after a rough landing that was caught on video at a baseball game in Arizona.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
All of these episodes have different types of endings: There’s bleak to total cliffhanger to sentimental.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Some practical frameworks and strategies enable leaders to maintain stability, foster engagement, and position their teams for success even when the economic outlook appears bleak.—
Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Polls show Trump’s approval numbers have fallen in recent weeks after the tumultuous moves around the tariffs and the volatile stock market.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The Nuggets’ upcoming playoff journey follows a tumultuous organizational upheaval which, with only three games remaining in the season, saw the firings of ten-year head coach Michael Malone – tied for the latest such ouster in a season in NBA history – as well as general manager Calvin Booth.—
Joel Rush,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s scenario No. 1: Either Carter, a ferocious All-American pass rusher, or Hunter, a generational wide receiver-cornerback hybrid, is available, and the Patriots can add a premium talent at a position of need in what can only be described as a front-office dream.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
-
In other words, if Instagram had even somewhat appeared as a future threat to Facebook or Facebook’s competition, there would have been a ferocious bidding war for Instagram that would have pushed its purchase price far, far above $1 billion.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Monday night’s draft commences the 2025 WNBA campaign, which comes on the heels of an all-time wild offseason.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
This behavior mimics their wild ancestors, who would ambush prey from above or perch in trees to avoid danger.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The agency recalled that between 2022 and 2024, around 60% of annual admissions for severe acute malnutrition occurred during the rainy season, meaning that up to 462,000 children could be affected this year if the trend holds.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Areas affected by the Harmattan experience significant dryness, unlike the rainy season when the monsoon wind (from the south) prevails.—
Christophe Lavaysse,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Battle of Okinawa lasted 82 days, with fierce fighting on land and sea.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The documentary follows the story of Ángel, a charismatic boy with fierce love for his Guarani roots and a vision for his Paraguayan hometown of Nanawa.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share