turbulence
noun
tur·bu·lence
ˈtər-byə-lən(t)s 
: the quality or state of being turbulent: such as
a
: great commotion or agitation
emotional turbulence
b
: irregular atmospheric motion especially when characterized by up-and-down currents
c
: departure in a fluid from a smooth flow
Examples of turbulence in a Sentence
The plane hit quite a bit of turbulence during our flight.
A period of turbulence preceded the riots.
Recent Examples on the Web
Many CEOs worry about the potential of large-scale tariffs to trigger reciprocal trade wars and inflation, as well as the inflationary implications of immigration policy turbulence.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
Retail chains have faced economic turbulence since the coronavirus pandemic, as many consumers have turned toward online shopping over brick-and-mortar stores.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, the transit proposal could face turbulence on the federal level with the change in administration.
—Asher Price, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Yoon’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 that was withdrawn after about six hours has plunged one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies into a period of unprecedented political turbulence.
—Reuters, NBC News, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for turbulence 
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Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
Retail chains have faced economic turbulence since the coronavirus pandemic, as many consumers have turned toward online shopping over brick-and-mortar stores.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, the transit proposal could face turbulence on the federal level with the change in administration.
—Asher Price, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Yoon’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 that was withdrawn after about six hours has plunged one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies into a period of unprecedented political turbulence.
—Reuters, NBC News, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for turbulence
Dictionary Entries Near turbulence
Cite this Entry
“Turbulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbulence. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
turbulence
noun
tur·bu·lence
ˈtər-byə-lən(t)s
: the quality or state of being turbulent
especially
: irregular atmospheric motion with up and down currents
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