TEMPESTUOUS Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

tempestuous

adjective

tem-ˈpes-chə-wəs

Definition of tempestuous

as in violent

marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity order was restored to the court after the judge put a stop to the defendant's tempestuous outburst

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in turbulent

marked by sudden or violent disturbance in terms of social change, the 1960s are generally considered the most tempestuous decade in recent American history

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rough

marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements we spent a tempestuous night stranded on the summit of the mountain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bleak

marked by wet and windy conditions stay indoors this weekend as the weather promises to be tempestuous

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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 tempestuous But portraying Odysseus, he was tasked with smashing swords, scaling mountains and sailing tempestuous waters, all while spiraling about the state of humanity. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 July 2026 In the Faroe Islands, Nature Rewards Patience The remote archipelago is welcoming more visitors every year—but a tempestuous climate and steadfast way of life encourage travelers to bend. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026 The Allied Expeditionary Force could not get troops onto Continental Europe if Mother Nature was feeling tempestuous. — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 Fraser plays the legendary general (and future president) as a tempestuous mountain of a man, a far cry from the modest and even-keeled Eisenhower of record. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tempestuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempestuous

Adjective

Their arrival comes during a violent week in Haiti; at least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped, according to Haitian officials.

— Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Karilyn Orr, an internal safety and prevention specialist in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and Nick Jakubisin, a special agent in the Illinois State Police’s violent crimes unit, joined Hills in the presentation.

— Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of violent

Adjective

Other downsides to sulfates include leaving hair feeling dry, brittle, and rough, which Trisler says can be even more damaging if your hair is already compromised.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
Hsu’s argument for why the near-monochrome restaurant doesn’t go flat is that the palette itself runs on tension, with the statement-making veined marble behind the point-of-sale area set against rough plaster walls.

— Alexis Benveniste, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of rough

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

Browse Nearby Words

tempests

tempestuous

temple

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“Tempestuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempestuous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tempestuous

adjective

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