as in upheaval
a state of violence, confusion, and disorder
There was much turbulence in their town after a string of tragedies.
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Recent Examples of turbulence
Now, 10 years to the day after the Brexit vote and with six prime ministers having been felled by economic and political turbulence, the country once again looks to a new leader — and back to the crucible that helped set it on this torrid journey.
—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
23 June 2026
Social Security has faced a financial shortfall before, when in the early 1980s its trust funds were on the brink of insolvency due to economic turbulence over the previous decade.
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Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Kennedy drew a comparison to passengers experiencing turbulence on a plane.
—
Sarah Jackson,
CNBC,
21 June 2026
The central image was an airliner, something that, like life itself, experiences highs, lows and turbulence.
—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for turbulence
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
23 June 2026
Social Security has faced a financial shortfall before, when in the early 1980s its trust funds were on the brink of insolvency due to economic turbulence over the previous decade.
—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Kennedy drew a comparison to passengers experiencing turbulence on a plane.
—
Sarah Jackson,
CNBC,
21 June 2026
The central image was an airliner, something that, like life itself, experiences highs, lows and turbulence.
—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for turbulence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulence
Noun
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Was came from a working-class industrial city, making music reflective of Detroit’s technological upheaval and economic neglect.
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Unlike larger corporate counterparts, SMEs don't always have the financial reserves to comfortably absorb geopolitical upheaval and rapid inflation.
Noun
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With some flashing lights, this thing flying around in the sky would cause quite a commotion.
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Any browns feeding there are less likely to have been spooked by the commotion.
Noun
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And just as the rental market of humanoid robots shows signs of cooling and the initial excitement wanes, concerns of an industry bubble have risen.
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Cunningham, 63, can remember the fanfare and excitement around the bicentennial in 1976.
Noun
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Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
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However, about 15 minutes into the flight, a pilot reported a passenger disturbance to air traffic control.
Noun
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The earthquakes have compounded problems created by years of economic and political strife, particularly for the overwhelmed healthcare system.
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The program was created by Congress in 1990 to prevent deportations to countries suffering from natural disasters, civil strife and other instability.
Noun
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With just four months to go until Election Day, the House is having trouble with the basics of legislating – let alone moving the typical election-year messaging bills meant to drive up voter turnout.
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After Medina got into trouble with a Max Muncy double and Kyle Tucker walk — Tucker’s fourth of the game — Harris entered the game with two outs and struck out Tommy Edman to end the inning.
Noun
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Mercury stations retrograde in Cancer in your 11th House of Friends and Community, bringing old invitations, group-chat confusion, or unclear expectations back into focus.
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In it, the author described a culture of confusion, stress, and incompetence, as contractors competed for work to be completed under near-impossible deadlines.
Noun
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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.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Turbulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulence. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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