tumult
Americannoun
-
violent and noisy commotion or disturbance of a crowd or mob; uproar.
The tumult reached its height during the premier's speech.
- Synonyms:
- turbulence, disorder
-
a general outbreak, riot, uprising, or other disorder.
The tumult moved toward the embassy.
- Synonyms:
- mutiny, revolution, revolt
-
highly distressing agitation of mind or feeling; turbulent mental or emotional disturbance.
His placid facade failed to conceal the tumult of his mind.
- Synonyms:
- perturbation, excitement
noun
-
a loud confused noise, as of a crowd; commotion
-
violent agitation or disturbance
-
great emotional or mental agitation
Related Words
See ado.
Etymology
Origin of tumult
1375–1425; late Middle English tumult ( e ) < Latin tumultus an uproar, akin to tumēre to swell
Explanation
If a principal steps into a classroom and is greeted by a tumult of voices, with the teacher shouting for his kids' attention, she will not be pleased. A tumult is a state of noisy confusion. Very often a crowd of people will cause a tumult. But your mind can also be in tumult, when you're confused and overwhelmed by strong emotions. If you want an adjective to describe these types of bewildering situations, use tumultuous. Tumult is from the Latin tumultus, "an uproar," which is related to the Latin verb tumēre, "to be excited."
Vocabulary lists containing tumult
Night
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A Christmas Carol
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Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I A Woman?" (1863)
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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.
In an address to fellow Mexican diplomats, the newly minted foreign minister alluded to the atmosphere of global tumult, without naming those responsible.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
Few are convinced the recent tumult is totally over.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
The pandemic prompted many in this demographic to leave the workforce before 65, and the trend has continued as some opt to sit out the tumult of artificial intelligence.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
Cities like Dubai and Riyadh, which have long taken pride in their safety from the tumult of the region, have been drawn in, with the growing chaos sparing few countries in Iran's vicinity.
From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026
All the fear and noise and tumult feels like vibrations through my body.
From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari
Definitions 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.
