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
With a father who has all but given up, a disconnected mother, 2 moody teenagers and a tempestuous little one – there’s already plenty of drama for one family to manage.
—
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Rumiantsev is charged with two counts of rape and assault, which allegedly occurred during his tempestuous relationship with Barron’s online friend.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
But some stars are much more tempestuous.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 22 Jan. 2026
Astove is also surrounded by the tempestuous waters of the western Indian Ocean—the former Sea of Zanj, feared by medieval Arab explorers—that, whipped up by the trade winds, roll and roar in the summer.
—Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Rumiantsev is charged with two counts of rape and assault, which allegedly occurred during his tempestuous relationship with Barron’s online friend.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
But some stars are much more tempestuous.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 22 Jan. 2026
Astove is also surrounded by the tempestuous waters of the western Indian Ocean—the former Sea of Zanj, feared by medieval Arab explorers—that, whipped up by the trade winds, roll and roar in the summer.
—Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempestuous
Adjective
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Now polling suggests the public, and even Republican leaders in Congress, have stopped buying the White House’s claims that federal agents’ paramilitary-style raids only target violent criminals.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
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The takeover of the arts is less violent and a bit more insidious, but just as dangerous in its own right.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The faces of those women represented an unbroken chain of those who survived turbulent histories before me.—
Lara N. Dotson-Renta,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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This is something that is common around young stars that have turbulent and violent environments, but is uncommon for stars as old as ASASSN-24fw, estimated to be around 1 billion years old.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For much of 2025, their doldrums felt much worse than the typical rough patch that parties endure after bad election defeats.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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Unfortunately, peel-and-stick tiles will not hold up well on rough walls and floors or uneven surfaces.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The press was ferocious and organised, with the number of box entries and chances created being higher than any league performance this season.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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What Lee did not anticipate was the iron resolve, the ferocious tenacity, of the Union defenders.—
Jamelle Bouie,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Kam and O'Shea exceeded all expectations with a performance characterized by spectacular lifts and fierce musicality.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
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Then, in the middle of a fierce snowstorm, a skinny little girl and her dog show up at the resort.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Saturday evening, police released a photo of Haile Cummings, 34, who is being sought in connection with the furious shoot-out inside Taste of the City Lounge on Franklin Ave.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
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That may not be enough to stop furious lawmakers trying to eject the prime minister from office over his failure of judgment.—
Jill Lawless,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The geological feature is often referred to as a lava tube, and is common around volcanic areas of Earth.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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But geologically the country could hardly be younger, being entirely volcanic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tempestuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempestuous. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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