turmoil
Americannoun
-
a state of great commotion, confusion, or disturbance; tumult; agitation; disquiet.
mental turmoil caused by difficult decisions.
- Synonyms:
- uproar, disorder, turbulence
-
Obsolete. hard labor; toil.
noun
verb
Related Words
See agitation.
Etymology
Origin of turmoil
First recorded in 1520–30; originally as verb: “to agitate”; etymology uncertain; perhaps tur(n) + moil
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Philippines and Thailand are due to release inflation data for March, shedding light on how consumer prices in Southeast Asia are being influenced by the energy turmoil.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
In Asia, a round of inflation data from China and economies in Southeast Asia will be scrutinized for signs of stress caused by the energy market turmoil.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
A separate source said that local Reform branches "were in turmoil".
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
Add those headlines to the turmoil wrought by the Iran war, and Meta shares are down 19% this year to $537.23.
From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026
The Russian Revolution, the rise of Hitler, America’s emergence as a world power, the Second World War, and continuing turmoil in the Middle East all have their roots in the First World War.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
