1
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
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2
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
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3
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
we spent a tempestuous night stranded on the summit of the mountain
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4
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions
stay indoors this weekend as the weather promises to be tempestuous
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tempestuous
From the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the 2016 election and the tempestuous Trump administrations, Comey has been at the center of some of the biggest dramas in Washington.
—
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
But Eisner famously was forced out of the company in a shareholder rebellion that cleared the way for Iger’s leadership following a colorful and tempestuous final few years at the top that were chronicled in books like DisneyWar and The Keys to the Kingdom: How Michael Eisner Lost His Grip.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
Sellers was both celebrated and controversial, known for his brilliant improvisation and chameleonic character work, as well as his tempestuous personal life.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Chaos is engulfing the Middle East, American politics can be tempestuous, and Europe is witnessing its worst war since 1945.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
But Eisner famously was forced out of the company in a shareholder rebellion that cleared the way for Iger’s leadership following a colorful and tempestuous final few years at the top that were chronicled in books like DisneyWar and The Keys to the Kingdom: How Michael Eisner Lost His Grip.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
Sellers was both celebrated and controversial, known for his brilliant improvisation and chameleonic character work, as well as his tempestuous personal life.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Chaos is engulfing the Middle East, American politics can be tempestuous, and Europe is witnessing its worst war since 1945.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempestuous
Adjective
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With words infallibly falling short, Pritam mingled realism with a fragmentary style of narration that meshes together social encounters, violent episodes, vivid metaphors, disturbing dreams, memories, intimate self-reflections, and introspection on society.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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Once embroiled in conflict, participants and spectators layer on more stories to make sense of their relationship to its violent cauldron.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The honesty hit home for fans who’ve watched Homa navigate a turbulent stretch.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Whether this week’s series of agreements across Asia marks the start of a broader reset—or a temporary thaw in a turbulent trade landscape—will depend on how these commitments unfold in the months ahead.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The advanced energy management system elevates the ride experience, allowing users to push boundaries with confidence—whether tackling steep hills, rough paths, or long-distance adventures.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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Even so, rough surf and rip currents could spread along the US East Coast next week.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Andrew Garfield leads the feature that is now in production, portraying the leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
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While there are plenty of realistic iterations featuring ferocious teeth and claws, there are also a wide variety of friendly figurines and plushies.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The rebound in corporate profitability was largely helped by Beijing’s policies aimed at curtailing fierce price competition across industrial sectors, at a time when deflation in producer prices stretched into its third year.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
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The eyewall generally produces the fiercest winds and heaviest rainfall, according to Deanna Hence, a professor of climate, meteorology and atmospheric sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.—
NPR,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That’s how Gibson and Smith both ended up in prison, each furious under the impression that the other had put them there.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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Roschman and Billitier immediately called Ozer, furious.—
Steve Belanger,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The noise inside the ballpark felt volcanic.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Snorkeling through kelp forests on a remote volcanic island?—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rod Wave Elite is a popular high school basketball squad that bounces around the country playing exhibition games to crowds of rabid teens and internet celebrities.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
23 Oct. 2025
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Ed Sheeran is used to playing for tens of thousands of rabid fans in stadiums around the world.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tempestuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempestuous. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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