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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions
expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in tumultuous
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
these are turbulent, dangerous times in a region known for being a powder keg
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turbulent
As a collective, HQ Portfolio stocks delivered better returns with lower risk compared to the benchmark index; offering a less turbulent experience, as highlighted in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Around the globe, some are celebrating and some are mourning the return of a president who was known by some as turbulent and unpredictable and others as a firm, dynamic leader.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
This showed that turbulent gas in the early universe triggers bouts of intense star formation in galaxies, birthing these galaxies' thick stellar disks.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 July 2025
The Twins’ pitching staff has endured a turbulent month of June, so much so that pitching coach Pete Maki called a meeting on Tuesday afternoon to address the group.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Around the globe, some are celebrating and some are mourning the return of a president who was known by some as turbulent and unpredictable and others as a firm, dynamic leader.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
This showed that turbulent gas in the early universe triggers bouts of intense star formation in galaxies, birthing these galaxies' thick stellar disks.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 July 2025
The Twins’ pitching staff has endured a turbulent month of June, so much so that pitching coach Pete Maki called a meeting on Tuesday afternoon to address the group.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
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The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Most young kids who are just getting used to their animal friends tend to be a little rough with them at first.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 July 2025
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While a canker sore is forming, that part of your mouth may also tingle, burn or feel rough.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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Restaurants were closed, staff were furloughed, and the broad outlook on the hospitality industry’s future was, in a word, bleak.—
Lela London,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
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The reversal is notable because this traditionally bleak indicator had been trending more positively under Trump's second term—until now.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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That should be especially helpful in these tumultuous times.—
Scott Cohn,
CNBC,
12 July 2025
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Elsewhere in the league, the reigning champion New York Liberty are dealing with tumultuous times without Jonquel Jones.—
Devin Robertson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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On the wall behind her, Gauguin has painted glyphs like those discovered on Easter Island, and a masked female figure, ferocious and bare-breasted.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
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Last time around, the titular Addams Family member, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, saved Nevermore by solving the mystery of the Hyde’s identity and putting a stop to the ferocious creature.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Fortune Feimster partnered with Johnsonville, the popular sausage brand, for a wild Fourth of July bash at Summerfest in Milwaukee.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
8 July 2025
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Best Nordstrom Anniversary Sale accessory deals Some pretty wild things are going on over in the accessories department, where high-summer necessities like city bags and sleek sunglasses are up to 45% off.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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For others, a pattern of cool, rainy spring weekends delayed planting!—
Heather Zidack,
Hartford Courant,
12 July 2025
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The break in rainy, stormy conditions comes after flash flooding continued to threaten recovery efforts through Wednesday night.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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The two have one of the fiercest rivals in college football known as the Iron Bowl.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
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He’s also ruled out the Chinese mainland due to fierce competition, entrenched EV incumbents, and a power grid so advanced that ultra-fast charging is widely available—making battery swapping largely unnecessary.—
Clay Chandler,
Fortune,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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