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
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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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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turbulent
Off screen, Madsen led an sometimes turbulent life.
—
Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 July 2025
The turbulent weather is forecast to develop after lunchtime on Thursday and last through the evening, potentially lingering overnight.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 July 2025
At the tight end position, a turbulent year around him in 2024 didn’t allow for any consistency for Jake Ferguson, especially when factoring in his injuries.
—Nick Harris
july 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2025
Chapek’s short and turbulent reign ended in 2022 when Iger returned as CEO.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 July 2025
The turbulent weather is forecast to develop after lunchtime on Thursday and last through the evening, potentially lingering overnight.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 July 2025
At the tight end position, a turbulent year around him in 2024 didn’t allow for any consistency for Jake Ferguson, especially when factoring in his injuries.
—Nick Harris
july 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2025
Chapek’s short and turbulent reign ended in 2022 when Iger returned as CEO.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 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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Devin Williams has settled down after a rough beginning of the year, and Luke Weaver remains superb despite some hiccups before the All-Star Break.—
Daniel R. Epstein,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Here are several other Twins takeaways from a rough weekend in Denver, which ended on an encouraging note: Ryan shows confidence after first All-Star Game Making his first start since delivering a dominant inning in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, Ryan was outstanding in the series finale.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Many people were concerned about their financial situation, as the overall economic outlook was bleak.—
Rocky Sharma,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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Morale among agency staff is bleak, according to one CDC official who spoke on the condition that they not be named for fear of reprisals.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Matty Healy’s mom, the English actor and TV personality Denise Welch, barely tried to hold back when discussing her son’s brief, tumultuous relationship with Taylor Swift on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
25 July 2025
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Nicks and Buckingham’s infamously tumultuous relationship, which began in the early 1970s, ended just two years into their tenure in Fleetwood Mac.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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An inside look at the birth and power of ferocious storms Lowry credits the current warming in the Atlantic to a weakening of the Bermuda High, a pattern of high pressure that expands and shrinks over the western Atlantic and heavily influences hurricane movement.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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His was a time of global conflict, consumerist excess, and ferocious climate change.—
Daniel Seifert,
JSTOR Daily,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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The movie's wild success even knocked the popular A Minecraft Movie out of its top spot — and made history as the first horror in 35 years to receive an A from CinemaScore, a company that polls opening-night audiences.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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Types reportedly in service include the Sting made by wild Hornets, ODIN’s Win_Hit and the AngryCat made by Venator Technologies, and images have emerged of unidentified types.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Special agents alongside local law enforcement spent their rainy Wednesday going to businesses all over South Florida, including gas stations, grocery stores and retail stores.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
23 July 2025
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European cities are much more similar in road conditions than their U.S. peers where sunny Phoenix, Arizona, with its wide streets, is far easier for self-driving cars to master than the narrow cross-streets of cold and rainy New York City.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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In the last few years, fierce controversies have often been sparked by commercials, with commentators seemingly viewing ad campaigns as the battleground for a never-ending culture war.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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In the barrios of the American Southwest, chola girls perfected their look with dark lip liner, oversized flannels, and nameplate earrings, styling themselves with fierce precision that both declared loyalty and warded off erasure.—
Alexandra Jane,
Essence,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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