tempestuous

[ tem-pes-choo-uhs ]

adjective

1. characterized by or subject to tempests:

   the tempestuous ocean.

2. of the nature of or resembling a tempest:

   a tempestuous wind.

   Synonyms: stormy, violent

3. tumultuous; turbulent:

   a tempestuous period in history.

tempestuous

/ tɛmˈpɛstjʊəs /

adjective

1. of or relating to a tempest
2. violent or stormy

   a tempestuous love affair

Derived Forms

• temˈpestuously, adverb
• temˈpestuousness, noun

Other Words From

• tem·pes·tu·ous·ly adverb
• tem·pes·tu·ous·ness noun
• un·tem·pes·tu·ous adjective
• un·tem·pes·tu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tempestuous¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Late Latin tempestuōsus, derivative of tempestus, variant of tempestās tempest ( -ous ); replacing earlier tempeste(u)ous, tempestious ( -eous, -ious )

Example Sentences

In other words, the charmed life of Anthony Bourdain was three-dimensional, tempestuous, and stressful.

From Eater

Storms are strange things — truly tempestuous in how suddenly they can shift shape and space.

From Ozy

This sets off a series of tempestuous events, with the couple spending the rest of the film arguing in front of everyone.

From The Daily Beast

He relationship with her mother became increasingly tempestuous.

From The Daily Beast

The singer was to be a generous, amusing but tempestuous employer.

From The Daily Beast

Daphne Merkin on the tempestuous, glamorous love affair—and the surprisingly literary side of Burton.

From The Daily Beast

Fox himself has alluded to a tempestuous relationship with his wife.

From The Daily Beast

His soul was tossed on the billows of a tempestuous ocean, in the midst of which he saw his father perishing.

From Project Gutenberg

They had reason to be thankful that they had a place which would afford them so complete a shelter during that tempestuous night.

From Project Gutenberg

You werent meant for this; you were meant for the woods and rocks, the rocks that run into the sea—something tempestuous and free.

From Project Gutenberg

During the month of November tempestuous weather prevailed along the coasts, causing many wrecks and much loss of life.

From Project Gutenberg

A shout burst from a thousand throats; a deep, angry cry, like the roar of a tempestuous sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• heated
• impassioned
• passionate
• turbulent