turbulent

[tur-byuh-luhnt]

adjective

1. being in a state of agitation or tumult; disturbed.

   turbulent feelings or emotions.

   Synonyms: disordered, tempestuous, violent, tumultuous, agitated

2. characterized by, or showing disturbance, disorder, etc..

   the turbulent years.

3. given to acts of violence and aggression.

   the turbulent young soldiers.

turbulent

/ ˈtɜːbjʊlənt /

adjective

1. being in a state of turbulence

2. wild or insubordinate; unruly

Other Word Forms

• turbulently adverb
• unturbulent adjective
• unturbulently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of turbulent¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin turbulentus “restless,” from turb(a) “turmoil” + -ulentus -ulent

Word History and Origins

Origin of turbulent¹

C16: from Latin turbulentus , from turba confusion

Example Sentences

U.S. stocks on Friday came off an extremely turbulent ride on Wall Street.

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U.S. stocks on Friday came off an extremely turbulent ride on Wall Street.

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In time, the prince stepped back from his more pugilistic policies, while geopolitics, energy concerns and a turbulent Middle East forced Biden to moderate his rejectionist stance.

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The work was painted during a pivotal decade in Kahlo's career, marked by her turbulent relationship with Mexican painter Diego Rivera, the auction house said on X.

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His teenage son is on Adderall and Zoloft after a turbulent childhood with an addicted mother.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bitter 
• bumpy 
• choppy 
• fierce 
• rough 
• stormy 
• swirling www.thesaurus.com
• tempestuous 
• unstable 
• violent