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 Multiple challenges Harald's death comes at a tumultuous time for the royal family. — Terje Solsvik, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 The new Netflix docuseries Death of the Pastor’s Wife explores their tumultuous relationship, the circumstances surrounding Mica’s death, and the litany of allegations against John-Paul. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026 The legal action follows a tumultuous summer for global football. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2026 His appointment comes as Iglesias prepares to exit after a somewhat tumultuous time in City Hall. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 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
  • Prototype points toward larger trials To demonstrate the design, the researchers produced a marine buoy that remained stable in a turbulent seawater tank rotated up to 45 degrees.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The report from the Government Accountability Office found delays and holes in how the Secret Service updates its policies regarding threats, and arrives after a few turbulent years for the agency charged with the president’s protection.
    — Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • Convincing a parent to get hearing aids can be a rough experience.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The journey back to the river camp was an arduous three-mile hike over rough terrain.
    — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • In the days since, the incident has sparked another round of reckoning with safety for LGBTQ people in Sacramento’s Lavender Heights neighborhood, which has seen a number of violent incidents in recent years.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Scientists hoped the probe would help build a geologic history of the moon to better understand its violent origins in a cosmic impact.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • That was the last time Tamang saw Yangri, who was whisked away by ferocious flash floods that ripped through this part of the Himalayan nation earlier this week.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The run game of Agoura is ferocious and experienced, but Westlake’s QB play is better.
    — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • Casemiro and Messi, fierce rivals when Casemiro was at Real Madrid and Messi at Barcelona, celebrated together, a rare sight for longtime La Liga fans.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Pearce was celebrating five years of Opry membership and would return later to channel many aspects of Dolly, from her humor and fierce independence to her Appalachian roots.
    — Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Kavanagh was furious and repeatedly made her concerns clear to her superiors at Sky.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Mother Love Bone had experienced the kind of instant success that made other local bands furious, signing a record deal after playing fewer than 10 shows.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of furious

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tumults
tumultuous
tumultuously
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Cite this Entry

“Tumultuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumultuous. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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