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
Memorable moments have included tasting Aquitaine caviar in Bordeaux, making cheese in Alsace, and going on a tempestuous boat ride off the coast of Brittany with chef Alain DuCasse.
—
Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2026
Also, stars in this frenzied state aren’t terribly stable; the fusion rate can be tempestuous, and the star undergoes incredibly violent paroxysms.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
Last month, the Staten Island Advance reported that a tempestuous turkey briefly faced off with an MTA bus at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Forest Avenue.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
But the future of the USMCA , which took effect July 1, 2020, is cloudy as the three countries begin what could be a tempestuous attempt to renew the pact this year.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2026
Also, stars in this frenzied state aren’t terribly stable; the fusion rate can be tempestuous, and the star undergoes incredibly violent paroxysms.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
Last month, the Staten Island Advance reported that a tempestuous turkey briefly faced off with an MTA bus at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Forest Avenue.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
But the future of the USMCA , which took effect July 1, 2020, is cloudy as the three countries begin what could be a tempestuous attempt to renew the pact this year.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempestuous
Adjective
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The group above is wanted in connection with a violent robbery on board a CTA bus in Washington Park on April 9.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
More heavy elements, more violent eruptions.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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From the transformative power of novels to raising a Black son in a turbulent era, Ward offers a deeply moving testament to resilience, storytelling, and the enduring beauty of life.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
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Much like the rest of what’s already been a turbulent season, Orlando has made this playoff series as difficult as possible.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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The suspension control software from their high-performance cars has enabled Ferrari to develop an algorithm to keep the boat stable, Ribigini adds, which will be vital at all times, but particularly in rough seas and strong winds.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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Krejczyk and Gagen, meanwhile, are enjoying a season that started rough but has gotten better.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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The old saying that film does not lie is true here in the opening episode, as viewers get a glimpse at Williams’ basketball skills as a shooter and leaping ability as a ferocious dunker.—
Joe Davidson
May 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
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In July 2023, daredevil physicists outfitted a high-altitude NASA plane with gamma-ray detectors and flew it straight over the core of some of the most ferocious storms on the planet — tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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This may explain why Suzanna’s mother is a somewhat indistinct presence in the novel (at least compared with fierce Sylvie)—patient, even serene behind bars, more eager to talk about her daughter’s future than about her own future, let alone her troubled past.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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The Bloomberg-era street transformations weren’t popular at first, and pushback was fierce.—
Jonathan Timm,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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Thomas Paine, released from prison and woven back into French society, wrote a long, furious letter to George Washington.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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The Toronto Blue Jays erased a one-run deficit with a furious eighth inning against the Twins’ bullpen on Saturday, scoring eight earned runs before recording an out to rally for an 11-4 victory at Target Field.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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The falls are fed by underground springs flowing through porous volcanic basalt in the Cascade Range, creating the appearance that water is emerging directly from the cliff face itself.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
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Formed by volcanic debris a quarter of a million years ago, the alkaline, algae-rich lakes attract giant flocks of hungry flamingos, along with a vast variety of wading and migratory birds.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tempestuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempestuous. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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