1
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
the turbulent struggle for civil rights that shook up American society in the 1960s
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2
as in rough
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
the turbulent rapids of the river were certainly daunting to those of us who were new to river rafting
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3
as in bleak
marked by wet and windy conditions
expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet
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4
as in tumultuous
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
these are turbulent, dangerous times in a region known for being a powder keg
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turbulent
Simmons is coming off a turbulent 2½ seasons with the Brooklyn Nets marked by injuries, unfulfilled expectations and criticisms.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2025
The former drama, starring Gary Oldman, which also brought Burt the award for Best Production Design at the Critics Choice Awards, focused on screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and his turbulent journey in writing the screenplay for the iconic 1941 film Citizen Kane.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025
These are turbulent times — and not just for adults.
—Daniel Wine, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
The Paris prosecutor’s office had requested five years in prison, with three years suspended, following a turbulent two-day court hearing in early December.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for turbulent 
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2025
The former drama, starring Gary Oldman, which also brought Burt the award for Best Production Design at the Critics Choice Awards, focused on screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and his turbulent journey in writing the screenplay for the iconic 1941 film Citizen Kane.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025
These are turbulent times — and not just for adults.
—Daniel Wine, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
The Paris prosecutor’s office had requested five years in prison, with three years suspended, following a turbulent two-day court hearing in early December.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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Long before 17-year-old Solomon Henderson walked into his school cafeteria with a gun, authorities in Tennessee were alerted to his threatening and violent behavior.—
Aliyya Swaby,
ProPublica,
8 Feb. 2025
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What if, the thinking goes, the prospect of CTE becomes an excuse for any violent or criminal behavior?—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Most holes look exactly the same, straightforward with skinny fairways and thick rough.—
Brody Miller,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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But the Bulls again had a rough time shooting 3-pointers, making 9 of 41 after going 10-for-47 on Tuesday.—
Andrew Seligman,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But bleak and uncertain as things seem right now, Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred does not want to lose Tampa Bay, the No. 11 media market, which is why the hope is for a deep pocket owner (or owners) from Tampa to emerge and the Tampa stadium plan near Ybor City can be revived.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2025
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Suicide is pretty bleak for a Super Bowl spot, and mental health, in general, is a sensitive topic.—
Matthew Pittman,
The Conversation,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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History of safety concerns Prosecutors and defense characterized the mother-son relationship as tumultuous, with law enforcement being called for domestic violence in November 2023, leading to the son’s arrest, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2025
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Monster Hunter Wilds hits Steam on Feb. 28, delivering thrilling behemoth-bashing mayhem and a tumultuous new wilderness to brave.—
Gabriel Zamora,
PCMAG,
6 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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On just his second hole of the day, the 2018 Masters champion teed off at the 12th – renowned for its raucous atmosphere and wild celebrations – with his ball eventually rolling into the cup.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
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Fans speculated, tabloids theorized—but the truth is wilder than fiction.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In Uganda, the national government has stopped spraying insecticide and distributing bed nets to pregnant women and young kids; during the country’s next rainy season, which spans from March to May, malaria cases and deaths may spike.—
Hana Kiros,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2025
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Northern California did have a wet start to the rainy season but also experienced a dry January.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Veteran San Diego actor Rosina Reynolds is the cast standout in her icy, fierce and acerbic performance as the uncompromising Polly.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2025
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Kyiv has often reported the fiercest clashes taking place in the oblast.—
Ellie Cook,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near turbulent
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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