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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The hoard sheds new light on Norway's economy during a turbulent period in the country's history, remembered for political upheaval, power shifts, Viking expeditions and an influx of wealth from abroad, Innlandet officials said.
—
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The outfielder’s at-bats were largely undisciplined, and judging by the entirety of his turbulent 2025 season, Veen clearly lacked the off-field maturity to be ready for his call-up.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
The last two games against the Rockets have transitioned the Lakers from cloud nine into a turbulent flight for a spot in the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
The story, known for its suffusive magical realism, follows three generations of the del Valle Trueba women through the turbulent history of a conservative South American country, inspired by Allende’s Chile.
—Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The outfielder’s at-bats were largely undisciplined, and judging by the entirety of his turbulent 2025 season, Veen clearly lacked the off-field maturity to be ready for his call-up.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
The last two games against the Rockets have transitioned the Lakers from cloud nine into a turbulent flight for a spot in the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
The story, known for its suffusive magical realism, follows three generations of the del Valle Trueba women through the turbulent history of a conservative South American country, inspired by Allende’s Chile.
—Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
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
-
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
-
Speaking at an event held at the Aloft Hotel in Doral, a hub for Venezuelan diaspora activism, Guanipa painted a bleak picture of conditions inside Venezuela and sharply criticized the country’s current leadership, accusing those in power of clinging to control despite widespread rejection.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
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Without giving too much away about the endings of Caveat and Oddity, McCarthy (like Ohm) leans toward the bleak and open-ended.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Pippen and Coby were first spotted looking cozy last summer, about a year after her tumultuous split with Michael Jordan’s son Marcus Jordan.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
-
Paul and Mortensen, whose tumultuous relationship was featured heavily on the show, have been ordered to stay at least 100 feet (30 meters) away from each other until the hearing Thursday afternoon.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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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Astronomers have always suspected these baby galaxies were busy, but new glimpses from the James Webb Space Telescope are showing them to be even brighter and larger than our wildest dreams.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
4 May 2026
-
The reality is, this has been their approach for far too long; it is not been exposed to the public, and a forensic audit of all increases, and all spending that comes from each of those additional taxes will expose corruption beyond anyone’s wildest imagination.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
These storms may represent the last of SoCal’s rainy season, which typically ends in April.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Expect to see surgeonfish, blue tang, moorish idols, plus whale shark and manta rays in the May-September rainy season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Flows are narcoleptic, drums are sporadic, and melodies are soft enough to live in a dollhouse.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
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Still, sporadic cross-border fighting had continued even while delegations from the two sides were attending the talks in Urumqi.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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