Turmoil is a state of confusion, disorder, uncertainty, or great anxiety.
...the political turmoil of 1989. [+ of]
Her life was in turmoil.
Your mind is in such a turmoil you do not know what you are saying.
Synonyms: confusion, trouble, violence, row More Synonyms of turmoil
turmoil in British English
(ˈtɜːmɔɪl)
noun
1.
violent or confused movement; agitation; tumult
verb
2. archaic
to make or become turbulent
Word origin
C16: perhaps from turn + moil
turmoil in American English
(ˈtɜrˌmɔɪl)
noun
tumult; commotion; uproar; confusion
Word origin
tur- (< ? turbulent) + moil
Examples of 'turmoil' in a sentence
turmoil
Egypt's economy is in tatters after five years of political turmoil.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They expected that a Brexit vote would cause consumers to rein in spending as a precaution against future economic turmoil.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
I was panting with the physical effort and the emotional turmoil into which I had just been thrust.
The Sun (2016)
This was a time of great turmoil in the church.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Yesterday brought no relief to global financial turmoil.
The Sun (2011)
So how will the financial turmoil affect holidaymakers?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Yet we still have to find a path through the turmoil to personal financial security.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The return of a civilian government has eased political turmoil.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This is not just a reflection of external economic turmoil.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The clock was ticking on the emotional turmoil timebomb.
The Sun (2010)
This would prompt a rise in oil prices and plunge the global economy into fresh turmoil.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The result is turmoil in two of the older parties.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The voters may see the implications of global turmoil through a glass darkly.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It follows years of financial turmoil for the original members of the group.
The Sun (2013)
It would be foolish to ignore the risk of currency crisis and economic turmoil in economies with these vulnerabilities.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The continuing turmoil in Sinai makes the election particularly difficult to predict.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
His gaffe yesterday came as a poll showed Labour is heading for election turmoil in marginal constituencies.
The Sun (2009)
The recent economic turmoil has sent the gold price soaring, while industrial demand for silver remains very buoyant.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The biggest problem with the euro turmoil is the uncertainty, and understandably people want to prepare for the worst.
The Sun (2012)
Was this the beginning of a turnaround for a career that has stalled on the back of personal turmoil and a technique that has deserted him?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
At times of financial turmoil and uncertainty, the public expects politicians to put party differences aside and to act in the national interest.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This constant feature of human life makes for emotional turmoil rather than tranquillity, for the lover no longer has the solitude to devote to contemplation.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
turmoil
British English: turmoil NOUN
Turmoil is a state of confusion, disorder, uncertainty, or great anxiety.
...the political turmoil of recent months.
American English: turmoil
Brazilian Portuguese: distúrbio
Chinese: 混乱
European Spanish: desorden
French: agitation
German: Aufruhr
Italian: confusione
Japanese: 混迷
Korean: 혼란
European Portuguese: distúrbio
Latin American Spanish: desorden
Chinese translation of 'turmoil'
turmoil
(ˈtəːmɔɪl)
n(s/u)
混乱(亂) (hùnluàn)
in turmoil处(處)于(於)混乱(亂)状(狀)态(態) (chǔyú hùnluàn zhuàngtài)
(noun)
Definition
disorder, agitation, or confusion
a year of political turmoil
Synonyms
confusion
The rebel leader seems to have escaped in the confusion.
trouble
Riot police are being deployed to prevent any trouble.
violence
row
‘Whatever is that row?’ she demanded.
noise
There was too much noise in the room and he needed peace.
stir
His film has caused a stir in America.
disorder
He called on the authorities to stop public disorder.
chaos
The country appears to be sliding towards chaos.
disturbance
During the disturbance, three men were hurt.
upheaval
a prolonged period of political upheaval
bustle
the hustle and bustle of modern life
flurry
There was a flurry of excitement.
strife
disarray
uproar
The announcement caused uproar in the crowd.
turbulence
a region often beset by religious turbulence
ferment
The country is in a state of political ferment.
agitation
He was in a state of emotional agitation.
commotion
He heard a terrible commotion outside.
pandemonium
There was pandemonium in the court as the verdict was delivered.
bedlam
He is causing bedlam at the hotel.
tumult
the recent tumult in global financial markets
hubbub
the hubbub over the election
brouhaha
Opposites
rest
,
peace
,
quiet
,
calm
,
serenity
,
tranquillity
,
stillness
,
repose
phrase
See in turmoil
Additional synonyms
in the sense of agitation
He was in a state of emotional agitation.
Synonyms
turmoil,
worry,
trouble,
upset,
alarm,
confusion,
excitement,
disturbance,
distraction,
upheaval,
stimulation,
flurry,
outcry,
clamour,
arousal,
ferment,
disquiet,
commotion,
fluster,
lather (informal),
incitement,
tumult,
discomposure,
tizzy, tizz or tiz-woz (informal)
in the sense of bedlam
Definition
a noisy confused situation
He is causing bedlam at the hotel.
Synonyms
pandemonium,
noise,
confusion,
chaos,
turmoil,
clamour,
furore,
uproar,
commotion,
rumpus,
babel,
tumult,
hubbub,
ruction (informal),
hullabaloo,
hue and cry,
ruckus (informal)
in the sense of bustle
Definition
energetic and noisy activity
the hustle and bustle of modern life
Synonyms
activity,
to-do,
stir,
excitement,
hurry,
fuss,
flurry,
haste,
agitation,
commotion,
ado,
tumult,
hurly-burly,
pother (literary)
Synonyms of 'turmoil'
turmoil
Explore 'turmoil' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of chaos
Definition
complete disorder or confusion
The country appears to be sliding towards chaos.
Synonyms
disorder,
confusion,
mayhem,
havoc (informal),
anarchy,
lawlessness,
pandemonium,
entropy,
bedlam,
tumult,
disorganization
in the sense of commotion
Definition
noisy disturbance
He heard a terrible commotion outside.
Synonyms
disturbance,
to-do,
riot,
disorder,
excitement,
fuss,
turmoil,
racket,
upheaval,
bustle,
furore,
outcry,
uproar,
ferment,
agitation,
ado,
rumpus,
tumult,
hubbub,
hurly-burly,
brouhaha,
hullabaloo,
ballyhoo (informal),
hue and cry,
perturbation
in the sense of disorder
Definition
public violence or rioting
He called on the authorities to stop public disorder.
Synonyms
disturbance,
fight,
riot,
turmoil,
unrest,
quarrel,
upheaval,
brawl,
clamour,
uproar,
turbulence,
fracas,
commotion,
rumpus,
tumult,
hubbub,
shindig (informal),
hullabaloo,
scrimmage,
unruliness,
shindy (informal),
bagarre,
biffo (Australian, slang)
in the sense of disturbance
Definition
an unruly outburst in public
During the disturbance, three men were hurt.
Synonyms
disorder,
bother (informal),
turmoil,
riot,
upheaval,
fray,
brawl,
uproar,
agitation,
fracas,
commotion,
rumpus,
tumult,
hubbub,
shindig (informal),
ruction (informal),
ruckus (informal),
shindy (informal)
in the sense of ferment
Definition
excitement and unrest caused by change or uncertainty
The country is in a state of political ferment.
Synonyms
commotion,
turmoil,
unrest,
turbulence,
trouble,
heat,
excitement,
glow,
fever,
disruption,
frenzy,
stew,
furore,
uproar,
agitation,
tumult,
hubbub,
brouhaha,
imbroglio,
state of unrest
in the sense of flurry
Definition
a short rush of vigorous activity or movement
There was a flurry of excitement.
Synonyms
commotion,
stir,
bustle,
flutter,
to-do,
excitement,
hurry,
fuss,
disturbance,
flap (informal),
whirl,
furore,
ferment,
agitation,
fluster,
ado,
tumult
in the sense of hubbub
Definition
great confusion or excitement
the hubbub over the election
Synonyms
hue and cry,
confusion,
disturbance,
riot,
disorder,
clamour,
rumpus,
bedlam,
brouhaha,
ruction (informal),
hullabaloo,
ruckus (informal)
in the sense of noise
Definition
loud shouting
There was too much noise in the room and he needed peace.
Synonyms
sound,
talk,
row,
racket,
outcry,
clamour,
din,
clatter,
uproar,
babble,
blare,
fracas,
commotion,
pandemonium,
rumpus,
cry,
tumult,
hubbub
in the sense of pandemonium
Definition
wild confusion
There was pandemonium in the court as the verdict was delivered.
Synonyms
uproar,
confusion,
chaos,
turmoil,
racket,
clamour,
din,
commotion,
rumpus,
bedlam,
babel,
tumult,
hubbub,
ruction (informal),
hullabaloo,
hue and cry,
ruckus (informal)
in the sense of row
Definition
a noisy disturbance
‘Whatever is that row?’ she demanded.
Synonyms
disturbance,
noise,
racket,
uproar,
commotion,
pandemonium,
rumpus,
tumult,
hubbub
Additional synonyms
in the sense of stir
Definition
a strong reaction, usually of excitement
His film has caused a stir in America.
Synonyms
commotion,
to-do,
excitement,
sensation,
activity,
movement,
disorder,
fuss,
disturbance,
bustle,
flurry,
uproar,
ferment,
agitation,
ado,
tumult
in the sense of trouble
Definition
a state of disorder, ill-feeling, or unrest
Riot police are being deployed to prevent any trouble.
Synonyms
disorder,
fighting,
row,
conflict,
bother,
grief (British, South Africa),
unrest,
disturbance,
to-do (informal),
discontent,
dissatisfaction,
furore,
uproar,
scuffling,
discord,
fracas,
commotion,
rumpus,
breach of the peace,
tumult,
affray,
brouhaha,
ructions,
hullabaloo (informal),
kerfuffle (British, informal),
hoo-ha (informal),
biffo (Australian, slang),
boilover (Australian)
in the sense of tumult
Definition
a state of confusion and excitement
the recent tumult in global financial markets
Synonyms
disturbance,
trouble,
chaos,
turmoil,
storms,
upset,
stir,
disorder,
excitement,
unrest,
upheaval,
havoc (informal),
mayhem,
strife,
disarray,
turbulence,
ferment,
agitation,
convulsions,
bedlam
in the sense of turbulence
Definition
a state or condition of confusion, movement, or agitation
a region often beset by religious turbulence
Synonyms
confusion,
turmoil,
unrest,
instability,
storm,
boiling,
disorder,
upheaval,
agitation,
commotion,
pandemonium,
tumult,
roughness
in the sense of upheaval
Definition
a strong, sudden, or violent disturbance
a prolonged period of political upheaval
Synonyms
disturbance,
revolution,
disorder,
turmoil,
overthrow,
disruption,
eruption,
cataclysm,
violent change
in the sense of uproar
Definition
a commotion or disturbance characterized by loud noise and confusion