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

However, the victory at Hampden was a rare moment of joy for a country in turmoil.

Read more on BBC

France has been ensnared in political turmoil since Macron called snap elections in 2024 that failed to produce a clear majority in the National Assembly, France’s lower house of parliament.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

President Emmanuel Macron has asked Sébastien Lecornu to return as French prime minister only four days after he stood down from the post, sparking a week of high drama and political turmoil.

Read more on BBC

And Italy feels surprisingly stable these days at a time of political turmoil in other parts of Europe.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There’s even a positive take from the ongoing political turmoil.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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