turbulent

American  

[tur-byuh-luhnt] / ˈtɜr byə lənt /

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.

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turbulent British  

/ ˈtɜːbjʊlənt /

adjective

1. being in a state of turbulence

2. wild or insubordinate; unruly

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Other Word Forms

• turbulently adverb
• unturbulent adjective
• unturbulently adverb

Etymology

Origin of turbulent

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

Compare meaning

How does turbulent compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• assertive vs. turbulent

Example Sentences

Amorim was sacked on Monday after a turbulent 14 months in charge.

From BBC

Amorim was axed after a turbulent 14 months in charge at Old Trafford culminated with his scathing criticism of the United hierarchy last weekend.

From Barron's

"She'd be in the front room pounding Beethoven or some dramatic score with the door locked. I do have turbulent feelings when I go to concerts and hear that sort of music."

From BBC

It comes amid a turbulent time for Claire's, popular with tweens for its brightly coloured accessories, which was seeking a buyer after its US owner filed for bankruptcy last year.

From BBC

The art was reissued later that year by Random House in a one-volume trade edition, helping to make Kent’s turbulent engravings—of Captain Ahab, the Pequod’s crew and the elusive white whale—iconic.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bitter
• bumpy
• choppy
• fierce
• rough
• stormy
• swirling
• tempestuous
• unstable
• violent