TURBULENT Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

turbulent

adjective

ˈtər-byə-lənt

Definition of turbulent

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bleak

marked by wet and windy conditions expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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 Amid the social unrest gripping France, the fates of Valjean, Cosette, her lover Marius, and Javert become entangled in the turbulent, revolutionary streets of Paris. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 To be sure, August has still been a turbulent month, as inflation fears sent Treasury yields to multiyear highs. — Lee Ying Shan,fred Imbert, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026 Her former colleague James Derby is also navigating the turbulent job market. — Bri Buckley, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 Buss’ lawsuit, filed in a Los Angeles County Superior Court this week, complicates an already-turbulent sales process for the Lakers that will ultimately require NBA approval. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turbulent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent

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

Although the news may be bleak for the dinner's thousands of supporters, the committee also shared a glimmer of hope.

— Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Aug. 2026
In many ways, her life feels like a bleak look at the false promise of placing all of your need for validation in your husband.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bleak

Adjective

After a tumultuous year, California lawmakers sent several important energy and environment bills to the governor’s desk in the final hours of the legislative session.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Stan Kroenke’s company agreed to purchase the Los Angeles Angels, ending owner Arte Moreno’s tumultuous 23-year-old stewardship of the franchise.

— Stephanie Apstein, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of tumultuous

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

The surging Phillies moved into a tie for the first NL wild-card position entering Monday, though the Cubs hold the season series tiebreaker over Philadelphia.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
San Diego leads Arizona by a half-game in the race for the National League’s final wild-card spot.

— Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of wild

Adjective

After a cooler and rainy weekend, things are going to heat up for central Iowa, with heat indices in Des Moines reaching as high as 102 degrees over the next week, according to the National Weather Service.

— Isabelle Foland, Des Moines Register, 30 Aug. 2026
Local authorities would rope together timber logs for a makeshift bridge, but in the rainy season, the logs would grow slippery and floods would wash them away.

— Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of rainy

Adjective

Bahrain and Kuwait, which have continued to face sporadic Iranian attacks, will have the lowest staffing of the Gulf embassies, with three-quarters of Foreign Service members returning.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Attacks on Kenscoff have escalated The first major attack on Kenscoff occurred in January 2025, and since then, there have been sporadic attacks in the mountains surrounding the city center.

— Pierre-Richard Luxama, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sporadic

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turbulence

turbulent

turbulently

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

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Synonyms of turbulent

adjective

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