tumult

noun

tu·​mult ˈtü-ˌməlt 

ˈtyü-,

 also  ˈtə-

1

a

: disorderly agitation or milling about of a crowd usually with uproar and confusion of voices : commotion

b

: a turbulent uprising : riot

2

: hubbub, din

3

a

: violent agitation of mind or feelings

b

: a violent outburst

Synonyms

• ado
• alarums and excursions
• ballyhoo
• blather
• bluster
• bobbery
• bother
• bustle
• clatter
• clutter [chiefly dialect]
• coil
• commotion
• corroboree [Australian]
• disturbance
• do [chiefly dialect]
• foofaraw
• fun
• furor
• furore
• fuss
• helter-skelter
• hoo-ha
• hoo-hah
• hoopla
• hubble-bubble
• hubbub
• hullabaloo
• hurly
• hurly-burly
• hurricane
• hurry
• hurry-scurry
• hurry-skurry
• kerfuffle [chiefly British]
• moil
• pandemonium
• pother
• row
• ruckus
• ruction
• rumpus
• shindy
• splore [Scottish]
• squall
• stew
• stir
• storm
• to-do
• turmoil
• uproar
• welter
• whirl
• williwaw
• zoo

Examples of tumult in a Sentence

We had to shout to be heard over the tumult.

The country was in tumult.

Her mind was in a tumult of emotions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then the coronavirus outbreak stopped the flow of patients, wiped out revenue and threw the enormous new affiliate into tumult. —Katie Benner, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

Yet the tumult reminds some college presidents of the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. —Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025

The Trump administration’s tariff policy sent stocks on a roller-coaster ride on Monday, and further tumult could be ahead for investors. —Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025

President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico this week—now paused for 30 days pending negotiations—has complicated his son-in-law’s investment plans, which will have to wait until the tumult around the trade relationship is resolved. —Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tumulte, from Anglo-French, from Latin tumultus; perhaps akin to Sanskrit tumula noisy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

tumult

noun

tu·​mult ˈt(y)ü-ˌməlt 

1

: uproar

a great tumult arose in the stands

2

: great confusion of mind