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.
On Beams, the album's most vulnerable song, she uses the looping structures of dance music to represent the turmoil of wanting to end a relationship.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Europe’s physical supply of energy is still guaranteed, despite the turmoil in the Middle East, Von der Leyen said at the time.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 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
He said he struggled with the "turmoil" of living a double life, and faced with another three years of service, "couldn't do it".
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
Through the turmoil inside me, I realized it was important for the other man to believe him.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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.
