turbulent

[ tur-byuh-luhnt ]

/ ˈtɜr byə lənt /

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See synonyms for: turbulent / turbulently on Thesaurus.com

adjective

being in a state of agitation or tumult; disturbed: turbulent feelings or emotions.

characterized by, or showing disturbance, disorder, etc.: the turbulent years.

given to acts of violence and aggression: the turbulent young soldiers.

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OTHER WORDS FOR turbulent

1 agitated, tumultuous, violent, tempestuous, disordered.

See synonyms for turbulent on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of turbulent

1530–40; <Latin turbulentus restless, equivalent to turb(a) turmoil + -ulentus-ulent

OTHER WORDS FROM turbulent

tur·bu·lent·ly, adverbun·tur·bu·lent, adjectiveun·tur·bu·lent·ly, adverb

Words nearby turbulent

turboshaft, turbosupercharger, turbot, turbotrain, turbulence, turbulent, turbulent flow, Turco-, Turcoman, Turcophile, Turcophobe

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use turbulent in a sentence

Jackson has a new nickname since his turbulent voyage across the bay, he said.
How is Alaska leading the nation in vaccinating residents? With boats, ferries, planes and snowmobiles.|Cathy Free|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
Still, social media can be a turbulent distribution channel, making for disrupted media plans.
‘Consumers expect brands to act’: Why defining voice and values has become crucial for marketers amid crises|Kimeko McCoy|January 25, 2021|Digiday
Mindfulness apps are booming as stressed-out people tune in for help coping with a turbulent world.
Why there’s so much money in mindfulness|Quartz Staff|January 19, 2021|Quartz
“He guided our school system through some very turbulent times and he’s demonstrated a deep commitment to our students, our families, our staff and our community,” said Brenda Wolff, president of the school board.
Montgomery County schools superintendent announces retirement|Donna St. George|January 14, 2021|Washington Post

Like many of the people who are now fighting over him, Captain America has had a turbulent start to 2021.
Can Captain America serve two dramatically different versions of America?|Aja Romano|January 12, 2021|Vox
I wondered who else was making a mark in the field in these turbulent times.
The Real-Life Raiders of the Lost Ark|Alex Belth|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A group of them mentor the turbulent, desperate kids fresh off the streets who are at their most violent when they first arrive.
Here’s a Reform Even the Koch Brothers and George Soros Can Agree On|Tina Brown|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The turbulent waters caused one of his oars to crack, which—without a motor or a sail—can be severely detrimental to his voyage.
Victor Mooney’s Epic Adventure for His Dead Brother|Justin Jones|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The demonstrations in Hong Kong are undoubtedly affecting an already turbulent Beijing.
Hong Kong Protesters Fear Martial Law Is Coming|Gordon G. Chang|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Alex Vause also has a much more turbulent home life than Nancy.
Orange Is the New Weeds: The Adventures of Jenji Kohan Across the 8th Dimension|Rich Goldstein, Emily Shire|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The music grew strange and fantastic—turbulent, insistent, plaintive and soft with entreaty.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
The mild and amiable Tacitus ruled over a turbulent people only six months.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
The malecontents, generally so insolent and turbulent, seemed to be completely cowed.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
They pleaded their conscience, and pretended to have received from Heaven the right to be quarrelsome, turbulent, and rebellious.
Superstition In All Ages (1732)|Jean Meslier
When that turbulent personage found himself safe in Munster, Rory Oge was one of the outlaws whom he adjured to stand firm.
Ireland Under the Tudors, Vol. II (of 3)|Richard Bagwell

British Dictionary definitions for turbulent

turbulent

/ (ˈtɜːbjʊlənt) /

adjective

being in a state of turbulence

wild or insubordinate; unruly

Derived forms of turbulent

turbulently, adverb

Word Origin for turbulent

C16: from Latin turbulentus, from turba confusion

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

turbulent

COMPARE MEANINGS

OTHER WORDS FOR turbulent

Origin of turbulent

OTHER WORDS FROM turbulent

Words nearby turbulent

Words related to turbulent

How to use turbulent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for turbulent

Derived forms of turbulent

Word Origin for turbulent