turmoil

[tur-moil]

noun

1. a state of great commotion, confusion, or disturbance; tumult; agitation; disquiet.

   mental turmoil caused by difficult decisions.

   Synonyms: uproar, disorder, turbulence
   Antonyms: quiet, order

2. Obsolete.,  hard labor; toil.

turmoil

/ ˈtɜːmɔɪl /

noun

1. violent or confused movement; agitation; tumult

verb

1. archaic,  to make or become turbulent

Word History and Origins

Origin of turmoil¹

First recorded in 1520–30; originally as verb: “to agitate”; etymology uncertain; perhaps tur(n) + moil

Word History and Origins

Origin of turmoil¹

C16: perhaps from _turn + _moil

Synonym Study

See agitation.

Example Sentences

He traded options late until midnight as he raced to capitalize on the turmoil, taking only a short break to play the sport padel while keeping an eye on his phone.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The push for a sales tax increase follows a period of union turmoil.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was the stock market’s largest blown gain since April’s tariff-fueled market turmoil, and it extended a painful stretch for the stocks at the heart of the AI boom.

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The beautiful, wealthy Schuyler sisters were players in both America’s Revolutionary turmoil and Alexander Hamilton’s romantic life.

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Really, I think, the vastness of today and what we are looking at as far as the future for all of us is just so twisted in turmoil.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anxiety 
• confusion 
• disturbance 
• riot 
• strife 
• trouble 
• tumult 
• turbulence 
• unrest 
• violence