turbulent
adjective
tur·bu·lent ˈtər-byə-lənt 
1
a
: exhibiting physical turbulence
turbulent air
b
: characterized by agitation or tumult : tempestuous
a turbulent marriage
2
: causing unrest, violence, or disturbance
a set of mischievous, turbulent rebels
Anne Brönte
Anne Brönte turbulently adverb
Did you know?
Some people lead turbulent lives, and some are constantly in the grip of turbulent emotions. The late 1960s are remembered as turbulent years of social revolution in America and Europe. Often the captain of an airplane will warn passengers to fasten their seatbelts because of upper-air turbulence, which can make for a bumpy ride. El Niño, a seasonal current of warm water in the Pacific Ocean, may create turbulence in the winds across the United States, affecting patterns of rainfall and temperature as well.
Synonyms
- bang-bang
- blood-and-guts
- convulsive
- cyclonic
- explosive
- ferocious
- fierce
- furious
- hammer-and-tongs
- hot
- knock-down, drag-out
- knock-down-and-drag-out
- paroxysmal
- rabid
- rough
- stormy
- tempestuous
- tumultuous
- violent
- volcanic
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Turbulent waters caused the boat to capsize. The sixties were a turbulent period in American history.
Recent Examples on the Web Four female executives at the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) are exiting the network amid the turbulent Warner Bros Discovery merger. Paige Mcglauflin, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2022 Several couples that have been together since Day 1 hit turbulent waters, and some didn't survive. Kimi Robinson, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 But not all hair professionals actively encourage the emotionally turbulent to alter their appearance. Luna Adler, Glamour, 26 July 2022 Evusheld’s own turbulent history has also contributed to the slow uptake. Jason Mast, STAT, 23 July 2022 Those honors appear to go to Trump, whose Save America PAC went up with an ad in September criticizing President Biden for the turbulent and heavily criticized U.S. exit from Afghanistan. Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, 27 June 2022 Like Vogt’s films with Trier—Reprise, Louder than Bombs, and the psychokinetic fantasy Thelma—The Innocents explores the youthful struggle between confronting a turbulent, outside world and constructing an ethical center. Erik Morse, Vogue, 9 May 2022 Nechaev, who presided over some of Russia's most turbulent economic times and helped steer its transition to a market economy, credits some of this to the central bank. Clare Sebastian, CNN, 28 Aug. 2022 In these turbulent economic times marked by layoffs, hiring freezes and global inflation, here’s how to thoroughly vet a potential employer before switching jobs. Laura Smythe, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 See More
Paige Mcglauflin, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2022 Several couples that have been together since Day 1 hit turbulent waters, and some didn't survive. Kimi Robinson, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 But not all hair professionals actively encourage the emotionally turbulent to alter their appearance. Luna Adler, Glamour, 26 July 2022 Evusheld’s own turbulent history has also contributed to the slow uptake. Jason Mast, STAT, 23 July 2022 Those honors appear to go to Trump, whose Save America PAC went up with an ad in September criticizing President Biden for the turbulent and heavily criticized U.S. exit from Afghanistan. Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, 27 June 2022 Like Vogt’s films with Trier—Reprise, Louder than Bombs, and the psychokinetic fantasy Thelma—The Innocents explores the youthful struggle between confronting a turbulent, outside world and constructing an ethical center. Erik Morse, Vogue, 9 May 2022 Nechaev, who presided over some of Russia's most turbulent economic times and helped steer its transition to a market economy, credits some of this to the central bank. Clare Sebastian, CNN, 28 Aug. 2022 In these turbulent economic times marked by layoffs, hiring freezes and global inflation, here’s how to thoroughly vet a potential employer before switching jobs. Laura Smythe, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin turbulentus, from turba confusion, crowd — more at turbid
First Known Use
1538, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing turbulent
Kids Definition
turbulent
adjective
tur·bu·lent ˈtər-byə-lənt
: causing or being in a state of unrest, violence, or disturbance
turbulent protests
turbulent weather
turbulent
adjective
1
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- violent
- ferocious
- fierce
- furious
- rough
- tumultuous
- volcanic
- explosive
- tempestuous
- stormy
- vicious
- rabid
- hot
- brutal
- convulsive
- cyclonic
- volatile
- paroxysmal
- aggressive
- savage
- contentious
- hostile
- knock-down-and-drag-out
- knock-down, drag-out
- destructive
- blood-and-guts
- frantic
- hammer-and-tongs
- barbarous
- antagonistic
- bang-bang
- combative
- pugnacious
- bellicose
- belligerent
- agitated
- quarrelsome
- mad
- combustible
- frenzied
- truculent
- assertive
- ruinous
- gladiatorial
- cataclysmic
- cataclysmal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- peaceful
- peaceable
- calm
- tranquil
- serene
- nonviolent
- pacific
- halcyon
- unaggressive
- nonbelligerent
2
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- rough
- tumultuous
- stormy
- tempestuous
- wild
- brutal
- raging
- violent
- harsh
- bleak
- rugged
- severe
- unsettled
- blustery
- blustering
- inclement
- unquiet
- nasty
- roily
- raw
- squally
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- peaceful
- quiet
- calm
- tranquil
- placid
- serene
- halcyon
- sunny
- clear
- bright
- cloudless
- fair
- unclouded
- clement
- sunshiny
3
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet Synonyms & Similar Words
- bleak
- stormy
- tempestuous
- rough
- rainy
- snowy
- inclement
- dirty
- raw
- squally
- nasty
- foul
- gusty
- windswept
- blustery
- murky
- windblown
- breezy
- misty
- hazy
- blustering
- cloudy
- overcast
- foggy
- blowy
- sunless
- soupy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sunny
- bright
- clear
- cloudless
- fair
- peaceful
- calm
- placid
- unclouded
- serene
- pleasant
- clement
- sunshiny
- rainless
- balmy
- halcyon
4
as in tumultuous
marked by sudden or violent disturbance these are turbulent, dangerous times in a region known for being a powder keg Synonyms & Similar Words
- tumultuous
- tempestuous
- stormy
- sporadic
- convulsive
- noisy
- cataclysmic
- furious
- fitful
- spasmodic
- boisterous
- riotous
- cataclysmal
- clamorous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- peaceful
- calm
- tranquil
- placid
- undisturbed
- serene
- unperturbed
- untroubled
- unshaken
- Cape chincherinchee
- cape chisel
- Cape clawless otter
- Cape Coast
- Cape cobra
- Cape Cod
- Cape Cod Bay
- Cape Cod Canal
- Cape Cod cottage
- Cape Cod lighter
- Cape Cod turkey
- cape codder
- cape colony
- Cape Colored
- cape coloreds
- Cape Coral
- Cape cotton
- Cape cowslip
- Cape crawfish
- cape crayfish
- Cape dagga
- Cape diamond
- cape doctor
- Cape Dutch
- Cape ebony