1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
in the tumult of the evacuation from the coast, we accidentally left on the television, which was of course tuned to the local newscast breathlessly reporting on the hurricane we were fleeing
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2
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the political tumult that swept the American colonies in the late 1700s
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3
as in roar
a violent shouting
went to the window to see what the great tumult was and discovered a crowd of demonstrators marching down the street
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tumult
But some Democrats worry her mayoral record during the tumult of the pandemic, which included struggles to deal with violent protests and lawlessness, along with her stunning decision not to seek a second term would hobble her bid.
—
Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
He was formed amid the ideological tumult of postwar West Germany in the 1960s and ’70s.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Reagan amid the tumult and tectonic fracturing of the 1960s Civil Rights and Free Speech movements.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
When Pinatubo started convulsing and belching steam in April of that year, scientists from the United States and the Philippines deployed an array of instruments that tracked the volcano’s inner tumult.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumult
Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
He was formed amid the ideological tumult of postwar West Germany in the 1960s and ’70s.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Reagan amid the tumult and tectonic fracturing of the 1960s Civil Rights and Free Speech movements.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
When Pinatubo started convulsing and belching steam in April of that year, scientists from the United States and the Philippines deployed an array of instruments that tracked the volcano’s inner tumult.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumult
Noun
-
Winnetka’s Village Council put an end to the latest commotion over its lakefront by opposing a project that would build chain-link fencing for dogs on Centennial Beach.—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
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Those seated in the gunner or engineer positions will also be treated to additional clips of Grogu via their adjacent flight panels, the young alien here portrayed as something of a playful pet of a child who is exaggeratedly chill during the commotion.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
The rule, adopted before the 2020 season but not implemented until this year due to the upheavals caused by the coronavirus pandemic, states that a team cannot use a position player on the mound unless there is a difference of six or more runs between the two teams.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Jennifer Garner is unpacking the 'upheaval' in family life that came from her 2015 split from ex-husband Ben Affleck.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Fudd got a loud roar of applause upon being introduced and seemingly played with a spark, starting the game off aggressively in the first half.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
-
As Tottenham’s Italian head coach turned towards the crowd and let out a roar of sheer jubilation, substitute goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario jumped on his back.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Noun
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Shine was found by patrol officers who responded to a disturbance at a home on Papaya Farms Road in Pāhoa on Monday, according to police.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
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Officers determined that the dog belonged to the man and woman involved in the original disturbance and arrested the woman on charges of felony domestic violence and felony assault with a deadly weapon.—
Velvet Wu
June 1,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Madonna has made music through various calamities that at the time felt world-ending — wars, political unrest, financial collapse — so the terrors of 2026 don’t seem to faze her.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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But its popularity didn’t spread beyond the northern Spanish city until the domestic unrest that had blighted the Basque region dissipated in the 2010s.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
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While these instruments might be heard loudly on the streets, they have been banned at the World Cup this year in Mexico to prevent excessive noise.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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From noise-cancelling headphones to cozy travel wraps, here are the seven travel essentials worth splurging on, according to a luxury travel agent.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Gold is a safe-haven asset that investors gravitate toward when economic and political turmoil erupts, sending waves through the markets.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
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The new sanctions come as the administration is updating war plans to respond to potential turmoil on the island and after the Justice Department charged Raúl Castro for the murder of four people in the 1996 shootdown of two planes of the exile organization Brothers to the Rescue.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
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At that point, a loud drum fill announces itself, snarling electric guitars kick in and McCartney’s trademark howls of old arrive in time for a fairly kick-ass chorus.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 May 2026
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It’s installed bioacoustic cameras in Yellowstone to track wolves and analyze their howls.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tumult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumult. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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