turbulent
Americanadjective
-
being in a state of agitation or tumult; disturbed.
turbulent feelings or emotions.
- Synonyms:
- disordered, tempestuous, violent, tumultuous, agitated
-
characterized by, or showing disturbance, disorder, etc..
the turbulent years.
-
given to acts of violence and aggression.
the turbulent young soldiers.
adjective
-
being in a state of turbulence
-
wild or insubordinate; unruly
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of turbulent
First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin turbulentus “restless,” from turb(a) “turmoil” + -ulentus -ulent
Compare meaning
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Explanation
Turbulent means chaotic, disordered, characterized by conflict. A time of war is a turbulent time for a country. If your family moves and your parents get divorced, you might call that a turbulent period in your history. This adjective also commonly describes unstable or violent movement in the atmosphere, or in oceans and rivers. When the pilot comes announces turbulent air or turbulence ahead, get ready for the plane to bump and shake. Turbulence has another specialized sense when describing an uneven flow of a liquid or gas.
Vocabulary lists containing turbulent
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 16–19
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"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary
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This Week in Words: October 13 – 20, 2018
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The current settled spell marks quite a contrast to the turbulent conditions experienced just a week ago, when the UK was hit by its first named storms of the season, Austen and Bóelo.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
Few in royal circles will have forgotten a 2022 turbulent trip to Jamaica by Prince William, when he and Princess Catherine were met with anti-monarchy protests and calls for reparations.
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
With that industry now going through turbulent changes, and Los Angeles challenged by issues including affordability, homelessness and a crumbling infrastructure, he worries that future generations may no longer be drawn here.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
Mr. Kirby became CEO during the turbulent early days of Covid, though the airline’s share price has barely increased from its pre-pandemic high.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
Ilya’s light shone out through the turbulent water around them, and Anya searched for the end of the tunnel.
From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
