1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
in the tumult of the evacuation from the coast, we accidentally left on the television, which was of course tuned to the local newscast breathlessly reporting on the hurricane we were fleeing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the political tumult that swept the American colonies in the late 1700s
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in roar
a violent shouting
went to the window to see what the great tumult was and discovered a crowd of demonstrators marching down the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tumult
The windswept tumult is filmed in lyrical slow motion, with high-contrast lighting, and the imagery meshes with Angèle’s text to evoke the inner lives of Maxine and Ada, conjuring subjectivity itself.
—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 June 2026
Regardless, the tumult around this sport is wearing on the fans who follow it, at least a little bit.
—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
The global economy in tumult, inflicting financial pain on American citizens that will linger even as oil prices decline.
—
Daniel B. Shapiro,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
Despite the tumult of fame, Bono has credited his wife of over four decades with helping to keep him grounded—and vice versa.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumult
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 June 2026
Regardless, the tumult around this sport is wearing on the fans who follow it, at least a little bit.
—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
The global economy in tumult, inflicting financial pain on American citizens that will linger even as oil prices decline.
—
Daniel B. Shapiro,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
Despite the tumult of fame, Bono has credited his wife of over four decades with helping to keep him grounded—and vice versa.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumult
Noun
-
With some flashing lights, this thing flying around in the sky would cause quite a commotion.
-
Any browns feeding there are less likely to have been spooked by the commotion.
Noun
-
Was came from a working-class industrial city, making music reflective of Detroit’s technological upheaval and economic neglect.
-
Unlike larger corporate counterparts, SMEs don't always have the financial reserves to comfortably absorb geopolitical upheaval and rapid inflation.
Noun
-
Military flyovers added to the atmosphere, with the roar of aircraft overhead loud enough to make seats visibly vibrate.
-
But with altitude and the roar of support from their fans, 2026 may become a new marker in their story.
Noun
-
Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
-
However, about 15 minutes into the flight, a pilot reported a passenger disturbance to air traffic control.
Noun
-
Chevron benefits from unrest in the Middle East and other factors that can elevate energy prices.
-
Shows of extravagance like these have not been met with kindness in a world torn by war, inflation, soaring gas prices and political unrest.
Noun
-
The three most common triggers included fear of strange people, fear of unfamiliar dogs and fear of unfamiliar situations like unexpected noises or objects on the sidewalk.
-
For instance, in Berkeley, neighbors used CEQA — citing potential noise impact from partying students — to delay, for years, UC Berkeley’s construction of student dorms on People’s Park.
Noun
-
The landlocked mineral-rich nation is facing one of its deepest political crises in decades as economic turmoil, nationwide protests and a battle over the country’s future threaten to reshape the balance of power in South America.
-
Political turmoil intensifies as resignations, Russia’s rising threat and pressure from a skeptical United States leave Britain’s next leader to prove the plan can truly safeguard Europe.
Noun
-
Many American poets have written hymns and howls, declarations and outcries for this country that brims with so many people, and so many hopes, from all over the world.
-
The engine delivers a deep, purposeful hum rather than an all-out howl as the gears disappear in quick succession.
Cite this Entry
“Tumult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumult. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
