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
The Interview With The Vampire series, based on the late Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles books, has been retitled for the third season, as Reid’s character looks to reclaim his centuries-old story as an immortal, yet turbulent rock star.
—
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Now, however, a study published today in Nature is challenging this sedate view, suggesting instead that the solar system’s first solids stormed into being much faster from sudden temperature shifts in the disk’s turbulent maelstrom.
—Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Further, the governing commission was plagued by a turbulent relationship with Congress.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
This is the full list of the most turbulent routes in North America, according to Turbli.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Now, however, a study published today in Nature is challenging this sedate view, suggesting instead that the solar system’s first solids stormed into being much faster from sudden temperature shifts in the disk’s turbulent maelstrom.
—Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Further, the governing commission was plagued by a turbulent relationship with Congress.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
This is the full list of the most turbulent routes in North America, according to Turbli.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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Opponents will learn about his violent play style very quickly.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The government actually deported more than six hundred and seventy-five thousand people, but getting just to that number involved broad and violent sweeps and the expulsion of people who were in the country legally, actions that led to widespread protests.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Junior starter Colin Jack settled in after a rough third inning to pitch a complete game for Batavia (9-9-1, 5-3).—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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It's garnered a reputation for rough conditions for people in custody and guards alike over its history.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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At first glance, AI companions for lonely seniors can seem dystopian, looking less like innovation than a bleak sign of social failure.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
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Things are impossibly bleak for the Rockets, which were without Kevin Durant for the second game this series.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 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
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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
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Behind a ferocious defense and an offense that couldn’t miss, the Knicks led by 25 points after one quarter, by as many as 51 points in the first half, and by as many as 61 points after halftime.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
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Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap have always been ferocious rappers, two goliaths spitting bilingual bars over gritty electronica with the couplet-completing precision of Run the Jewels.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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So much of marketing now that happens on the internet is this wild volume game where people are essentially spamming.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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But even wild gusts couldn’t keep these top acts down at the three-day event, which had people flocking to the Mane Stage to see headliners Cody Johnson (Friday), Lainey Wilson (Saturday) and Post Malone (Sunday).—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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 2 May. 2026.
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