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
When Pinatubo started convulsing and belching steam in April of that year, scientists from the United States and the Philippines deployed an array of instruments that tracked the volcano’s inner tumult.
—
Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
Because sugar plantations were so large and enslaved populations were so preponderant, whites feared that any tumult would end with their heads on pikes.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Since last summer, the agency’s tumult was widely known and a source of frustration for lawmakers and Abbott’s office – and something Opiela was aware of days before Bingaman was dismissed.
—Dug Begley, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
And despite the wins, some Republicans see the tumult as more of a liability for 2026.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumult
Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
Because sugar plantations were so large and enslaved populations were so preponderant, whites feared that any tumult would end with their heads on pikes.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Since last summer, the agency’s tumult was widely known and a source of frustration for lawmakers and Abbott’s office – and something Opiela was aware of days before Bingaman was dismissed.
—Dug Begley, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
And despite the wins, some Republicans see the tumult as more of a liability for 2026.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumult
Noun
-
The incident wasn’t the first time Nixon caused a commotion on the House floor over redistricting.—
Gray Rohrer,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
-
The employees will either be able to reach out to the culprit to quiet things down, or could transfer you to another room if the commotion doesn’t quit.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
With several high-profile players likely to leave and Beye not expected to remain in his post, another summer of upheaval awaits at Marseille.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
As a result, global markets are experiencing upheaval and crude oil prices have remained above $100 a barrel.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Schwarber walked, and Harper followed with his 11th homer of the season, a monster shot that made the significant chunk of the PNC Park crowd who made the five-hour drive across the state roar with approval.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Lee slid in safely with a head-first slide to tie the game at two apiece, letting out a cathartic roar towards his dugout from his knees.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
This misalignment, sustained over years, is associated with elevated risk for depression, metabolic disturbance and impaired cognition.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Though signals may overlap (compaction, moisture, and disturbance, after all, can exist all at once), the presence of particular weeds, without overanalyzing them, can lend helpful clues to what your desirable garden plants need done in order to thrive.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The Pop Up Film Residency Wildcard is designed to support exceptional film talents from countries in a state of political unrest.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
19 May 2026
-
And these are now increasingly fragile as a result of global unrest, climate change and a host of imitators.—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Thousands of fans were outside the Bell Centre watching the game, and the 20,962 fans filled the arena with ear-splitting noise before puck drop.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Write it down, step back from noise, and let the truth settle.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The most recent turmoil stems from the second of two rulings from the state’s highest court that focused on a referendum campaign, called People Not Politicians, that last year turned in more than 305,000 signatures to force a November statewide vote on the map.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
-
The cuts deepen the turmoil at Air India, following a devastating crash last year and the departure of its CEO last month.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Yet masculinism also functions as a perpetual-motion machine of grievance, an inarticulate howl of anguish at the status quo—whatever that currently is.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
The book is treated as confession, a howl of pain, its ‘anguish’ and ‘unflinching honesty’ much praised.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tumult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumult. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
