TUMULTUOUS Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

tumultuous

adjective

tu̇-ˈməl-chə-wəs

Definition of tumultuous

as in turbulent

marked by sudden or violent disturbance one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of the region

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rough

marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements watched the tumultuous weather from the dry safety of our house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 tumultuous Samuel Eto’o, who recently told CNN Sports in an exclusive interview that Infantino hasn’t done anything wrong and actually called for the controversial plan that caused this tumultuous situation to be revisited. — Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 It’s been a tumultuous year at the airport for hourly wage workers who toil there. — David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 In the tumultuous, post-COVID global landscape, there’s something fundamentally frivolous about getting wrapped up in your own personal dramas. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026 The pair's tumultuous relationship was marked by abuse allegations and a jail stint for Hickerson. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tumultuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumultuous

Adjective

Marrow Deep at times feels turbulent, ornate, measured, chaotic, and cathartic.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Matthews addressed The Bachelorette lead’s turbulent relationship with Mortensen, which encompasses a history of domestic violence.

— McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of turbulent

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

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

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

tumults

tumultuous

tumultuously

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tumultuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumultuous. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of tumultuous

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes