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
Predictions of turbulent behavior that are based on solving the Navier-Stokes equation, which describes the flow of fluids, are considered the gold standard in this field.
—
Steve Nadis, Wired News, 1 June 2025
As governor, Scott oversaw turbulent storm seasons, including 2017, when Hurricane Irma forced the largest mass evacuation in the nation’s history.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Benefits When Strategically Deployed Despite the risks, interim CEOs can be beneficial when used strategically:
Crisis Management: Experienced interim leaders can navigate companies through turbulent times, providing stability and direction.
—Solange Charas, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
These steps prevent, rather than heal, costly losses that weaken a company’s cash position, especially in turbulent times.
—Dean Kaplan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Steve Nadis, Wired News, 1 June 2025
As governor, Scott oversaw turbulent storm seasons, including 2017, when Hurricane Irma forced the largest mass evacuation in the nation’s history.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Benefits When Strategically Deployed Despite the risks, interim CEOs can be beneficial when used strategically:
Crisis Management: Experienced interim leaders can navigate companies through turbulent times, providing stability and direction.
—Solange Charas, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
These steps prevent, rather than heal, costly losses that weaken a company’s cash position, especially in turbulent times.
—Dean Kaplan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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The prosecution appears poised to use Combs' feud with Knight, as well as another series of encounters with rapper Kid Cudi, as demonstrative of a violent streak.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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Yet the Brazilian proceeded to show how Pereira’s faith was misplaced, first with a stroppy performance at Chelsea that prompted his head coach to publicly criticise his body language and then with his second violent meltdown of the season, against Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez in the FA Cup.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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If your skin is extremely dry and rough, however, the La Roche-Posay Body Moisturizer is rich in prebiotic thermal water, shea butter, and niacinamide is another one of Tookes’ recommendations.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
2 June 2025
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Cloudy skies, rough surf and limited battery life can all reduce their effectiveness.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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At the same time, others who attended this year’s California Democratic Party Convention dismissed any notion that the future of the Democratic Party is bleak.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
31 May 2025
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The early options on the GOP side are bleak: Neither Donalds nor Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife who’s said to be interested in succeeding him, is the moderate Florida so desperately needs now.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Though victory at Double or Nothing would set Page back on a path toward the AEW World Championship, his past year in the company has been a tumultuous one, concerned less with title pursuits and more with exacting personal revenge on Swerve Strickland.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
25 May 2025
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Virginia's death came following a tumultuous start to 2025.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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She and her fellow hybrids are sent to investigate the site, leading to the encounter of mysterious life forms — including one ferocious Xenomorph.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
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Both general elections are expected to be competitive, but only the New Jersey Democratic primary has featured ferocious competition out of the four party primaries.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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This was still wild country, and Fuller set off with the express purpose of producing a book about her journey.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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About 90% of wild flowering plants and 75% of food crops around the world depend on pollination to produce fruits and seeds, according to the National Park Service.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Inland flooding People in low-lying areas are familiar with how bad the streets get with Florida’s typical summer rainy season.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
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Trump and Musk cuts kneecapped forecasters Southern California already faced massive wildfires in January — normally the rainy season.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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The feedback was fierce—storyboards dismantled, ideas shredded—but the environment was psychologically safe.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Caron was used to seeing my fiery side, the fierce competitor, the demanding coach.—
Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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