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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of turbulent
Under former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, who was voted out in November after a turbulent first term in office, criminal suspects were treated much differently than in neighboring Orange County because of Gascon's criminal justice reforms.
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Louis Casiano, Fox News, 7 Jan. 2025
Trudeau's resignation comes at a turbulent time for Canada, contending with a housing crisis, rising crime rates, and growing public frustration with Liberal policies.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Even their design carried symbolism: smiling figures marked prosperous times, while stoic ones denoted rulers of more turbulent eras.
—Costa Beavin Pappas, ARTnews.com, 3 Jan. 2025
The veteran quarterback signed a one-year contract with the Rams this offseason after years as the starter in San Francisco and one turbulent year with the Raiders in Las Vegas.
—Adam Grosbard, Orange County Register, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for turbulent 
Louis Casiano, Fox News, 7 Jan. 2025
Trudeau's resignation comes at a turbulent time for Canada, contending with a housing crisis, rising crime rates, and growing public frustration with Liberal policies.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Even their design carried symbolism: smiling figures marked prosperous times, while stoic ones denoted rulers of more turbulent eras.
—Costa Beavin Pappas, ARTnews.com, 3 Jan. 2025
The veteran quarterback signed a one-year contract with the Rams this offseason after years as the starter in San Francisco and one turbulent year with the Raiders in Las Vegas.
—Adam Grosbard, Orange County Register, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
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Follow more of our reporting on Deadly Dose Crime One Kansas police force’s approach to fighting fentanyl is driving down violent crime November 30, 2023 6:10 AM Government & Politics Missouri lawmakers push new charges for fentanyl dealers.Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
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The prospect of requiring harsher penalties for pot possession than most violent crimes gave some Republicans pause at the wide-ranging hearing, which lasted for more than two hours.Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2025
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Blue Origin was counting down toward the launch of its first New Glenn heavy-lift rocket at 1:00 a.m. EST (0600 GMT) on Friday (Jan. 10), but rough weather in the Atlantic Ocean — where part of the rocket is expected to land — forced a two-day delay.Tariq Malik, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025
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That way, your rough and weathered heels will be healed and hydrated.Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Jan. 2025
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But beneath Pansy’s rage, often a source of that specific, bleak brand of Mike Leigh comedy, lies severe OCD, anxiety, depression, and the grief of having recently lost her mother.Radhika Seth, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2025
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While the art world has felt bleak amid a buckling market, a new art fair is gracing Los Angeles this year.Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 6 Jan. 2025
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The early cosmos underwent a series of tumultuous phase transitions as the fundamental forces of nature split off from each other.Paul Sutter, Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2025
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Rodgers had a tumultuous two years with the New York Jets, playing only one full season and throwing for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns.Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
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More than 12,000 homes have been destroyed by ferocious fires that have left at least 11 dead.Chantz Martin, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
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Those howling winds, measured at speeds approaching 100 mph, fueled the ferocious firestorms that followed.Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
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Created by claymation animator Nick Park, Wallace & Gromit is a series of shorts and feature films which sees the naive inventor and his loyal dog embark on wild and whimsical adventures, ranging from science fiction to murder mystery, usually with a touch of horror.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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The scrappy theatrical love letter to this wild caper has been getting raves on the West End for two years.Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
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Such a boom and bust cycle means a lot of lush greenery that grows in the rainy times, and a lot of dead leaves, trees and other tinder that gets left behind when things dry.Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 10 Jan. 2025
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While Northern California and the Bay Area has seen a relatively rainy winter season, downtown Los Angeles saw just 3% of its normal rainfall since Oct. 1.Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2025
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Lyft’s challenges were compounded by fierce rivalry with Uber (NYSE: UBER) and the disruptive impact of the pandemic.Trefis Team, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
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Tariffs Don't Have to Make Economic Sense to Appeal to Trump Voters The debates over tariffs were fierce.Einav Rabinovitch-Fox / Made by History, TIME, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near turbulent
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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