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
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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
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3
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions
expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet
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4
as in tumultuous
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
these are turbulent, dangerous times in a region known for being a powder keg
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turbulent
Predictions of turbulent behavior that are based on solving the Navier-Stokes equation, which describes the flow of fluids, are considered the gold standard in this field.
—
Steve Nadis, Wired News, 1 June 2025
As governor, Scott oversaw turbulent storm seasons, including 2017, when Hurricane Irma forced the largest mass evacuation in the nation’s history.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Benefits When Strategically Deployed Despite the risks, interim CEOs can be beneficial when used strategically:
Crisis Management: Experienced interim leaders can navigate companies through turbulent times, providing stability and direction.
—Solange Charas, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
These steps prevent, rather than heal, costly losses that weaken a company’s cash position, especially in turbulent times.
—Dean Kaplan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Steve Nadis, Wired News, 1 June 2025
As governor, Scott oversaw turbulent storm seasons, including 2017, when Hurricane Irma forced the largest mass evacuation in the nation’s history.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Benefits When Strategically Deployed Despite the risks, interim CEOs can be beneficial when used strategically:
Crisis Management: Experienced interim leaders can navigate companies through turbulent times, providing stability and direction.
—Solange Charas, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
These steps prevent, rather than heal, costly losses that weaken a company’s cash position, especially in turbulent times.
—Dean Kaplan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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This sweeping action included both nonviolent participants and those convicted of violent crimes against law enforcement.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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Individual plots veer between cartoonish farce (the gang accidentally makes friends with a violent criminal) and more mundane problems (Billie loses her insurance and gets into medical debt).—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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If your skin is extremely dry and rough, however, the La Roche-Posay Body Moisturizer is rich in prebiotic thermal water, shea butter, and niacinamide is another one of Tookes’ recommendations.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
2 June 2025
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Cloudy skies, rough surf and limited battery life can all reduce their effectiveness.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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At the same time, others who attended this year’s California Democratic Party Convention dismissed any notion that the future of the Democratic Party is bleak.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
31 May 2025
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The early options on the GOP side are bleak: Neither Donalds nor Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife who’s said to be interested in succeeding him, is the moderate Florida so desperately needs now.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Unfortunately, the period following the historic announcement has been tumultuous.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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The confrontation near a Home Depot at 6400 Alondra Blvd. had escalated over the course of the day into a fiery and tumultuous clash, even as federal officials warned of further immigration raids coming to Los Angeles.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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America, then, was visible to Fuller as the ferocious winds destroyed the vessel.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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The Thunder are deep, play ferocious defense and have a star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who embraces the big moment.—
Bob Harkins,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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The fish skin – a medical product made from wild North Atlantic cod and manufactured by the Icelandic company Kerecis – provided a scaffold, or a type of platform, for new skin tissue to grow.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
2 June 2025
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About 90% of wild flowering plants and 75% of food crops around the world depend on pollination to produce fruits and seeds, according to the National Park Service.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Pollination season was windy, cold and rainy — but supply chain problems began to improve and inventory came down.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
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Storms continue next week After a warm and rainy weekend, North Texans can expect continued storm chances next week.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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The feedback was fierce—storyboards dismantled, ideas shredded—but the environment was psychologically safe.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Caron was used to seeing my fiery side, the fierce competitor, the demanding coach.—
Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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