tumult
[too-muh lt, tyoo-]
- violent and noisy commotion or disturbance of a crowd or mob; uproar: The tumult reached its height during the premier's speech.
- a general outbreak, riot, uprising, or other disorder: The tumult moved toward the embassy.
- highly distressing agitation of mind or feeling; turbulent mental or emotional disturbance: His placid facade failed to conceal the tumult of his mind.
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Origin of tumult
1375–1425; late Middle English tumult(e) < Latin tumultus an uproar, akin to tumēre to swell
Synonyms
See more synonyms for tumult on Thesaurus.com1. disorder, turbulence. 2. revolt, revolution, mutiny. 3. excitement, perturbation.
Synonym study
1. See ado.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for tumult
Contemporary Examples
The tumult was such that young Sarah had cause to worry that she might not get even a glimpse of Will and Kate.
Jordan also became famous off the court, both for his gambling and for tumult in his personal life.
He was, however, also caught up in the tumult of his ailing marriage to Ava Gardner.
That period included the tumult of the U.S. leaving the gold standard, the oil shock, and the rise of inflation.
Then, he ducked out the side door to avoid the very kind of tumult he had just said he honored and felt was so necessary.
Historical Examples
Here the tumult of mingled emotion subsided in a flood of tears.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
The poor dog heard the tumult, and leapt to your aid, sir, and we made after him.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
In a tumult of thought, Hope went and sat half-unconsciously by the window.
MalboneThomas Wentworth Higginson
But I tried to listen and answer that I might hide from John my tumult.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
The shouting and the tumult gave me great pleasure; but, oh!
The Boy Life of NapoleonEugenie Foa
tumult
- a loud confused noise, as of a crowd; commotion
- violent agitation or disturbance
- great emotional or mental agitation
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Word Origin
C15: from Latin tumultus, from tumēre to swell up
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for tumult
n.
early 15c., from Old French tumulte (12c.), from Latin tumultus "commotion, disturbance," related to tumere "to be excited, swell" (see thigh).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper