1
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
order was restored to the court after the judge put a stop to the defendant's tempestuous outburst
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2
as in turbulent
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
in terms of social change, the 1960s are generally considered the most tempestuous decade in recent American history
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3
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
we spent a tempestuous night stranded on the summit of the mountain
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4
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions
stay indoors this weekend as the weather promises to be tempestuous
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tempestuous
Then there’s his tempestuous and eventually abusive affair with Cameron.
—
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
As the longtime best friend of Princess Margaret and long-suffering wife of the tempestuous Baron Colin Glenconner, developer of the island of Mustique, Anne participated in a number of major royal events in the mid-twentieth century.
—Allie Merriam, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025
Come for the Technicolor journey through the antebellum South, the Civil War, and Reconstruction, and stay for the tempestuous relationship between bullheaded Scarlett O’Hara (the magnificent Vivien Leigh) and dashing rogue Rhett Butler (Clark Gable).
—Kevin Lincoln, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
Trump, meanwhile, is not a stranger to a tempestuous transition period.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
As the longtime best friend of Princess Margaret and long-suffering wife of the tempestuous Baron Colin Glenconner, developer of the island of Mustique, Anne participated in a number of major royal events in the mid-twentieth century.
—Allie Merriam, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025
Come for the Technicolor journey through the antebellum South, the Civil War, and Reconstruction, and stay for the tempestuous relationship between bullheaded Scarlett O’Hara (the magnificent Vivien Leigh) and dashing rogue Rhett Butler (Clark Gable).
—Kevin Lincoln, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
Trump, meanwhile, is not a stranger to a tempestuous transition period.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempestuous
Adjective
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While keeping their relationship a secret for professional reasons, an unexpected promotion unravels their fraught romance, fueling a violent competition between the duo.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The court approved desegregation plan was fiercely resisted by the Boston School Committee and the many parents who took to the streets in, sometimes violent, protest.—
Aaron Kupchik,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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His childhood was turbulent—his parents' frequent fights sometimes turned physical, with his father directing his frustrations at young Gene.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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The 1999 killing Syed and Lee both attended Woodlawn High School and had dated, broken up, reunited and broken up again in a relationship an appeals court described as turbulent.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Known for his rough and tumble roles, the two-time Oscar winner died Feb. 26, 2025.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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The Trump administration has expressed interest in other minerals like lithium, graphite, and titanium, but these are based on rough mineral estimates.—
Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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It was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, which spread at ferocious speeds in high winds, eventually destroying more than 9,000 houses and buildings around Altadena, Calif.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
23 Jan. 2025
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Hudson’s father, Cecil, a logger, had a ferocious temper that scared even his own parents, who lived nearby.—
Eileen Finan,
People.com,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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After the goalless draw in one of soccer’s fiercest rivalries, the Portuguese manager was yet again outspoken in his press conference.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
25 Feb. 2025
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The game between the fierce rivals was halted after 52 minutes due to fans throwing flares onto the pitch.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Cormack was furious, issuing a sharp rebuke, the official said.—
Brett Murphy,
ProPublica,
16 Feb. 2025
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According to the Sheriff’s Office: Following a furious chase through Cascade, the black Toyota Tundra pickup truck headed south on Idaho 55, weaving in and around traffic while deputies kept pace behind.—
Max Silverson,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Weak ash emissions were ongoing and the Landsat image also captures a volcanic plume drifting away from the summit in a northeasterly direction.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
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It had been hidden beneath tons of volcanic rock and ash for 2,000 years.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This is a very famous spinoff of a very famous show that has a rabid fanbase.—
H. Alan Scott,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
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Two persons, however, were exposed to the rabid bull and had to be given rabies vaccine.—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tempestuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempestuous. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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