1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
there was a welter of pushing and shoving as people rushed to grab the best seats for the outdoor concert
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in jumble
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
a welter of junk in the closet, most of which needed to be thrown out
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in havoc
a state in which everything is out of order
the claim that a troop withdrawal would plunge the country into a welter of anarchy and endless civil war
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of welter
Scott Herhold, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
For everything else, his recollection is a sometimes overwhelming welter.
—Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
The welter of stories about unidentified drones over New York and New Jersey multiply, as do the myriad speculations.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
Our mother was at the wheel because Tom refused to learn to drive a car, while Ellen and I sat in the back seat, staring out anxiously from beneath a welter of books and the glinting gold wrappers of a dozen Cadbury Milks.
—Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for welter
Verb
Frank Taylor, the longtime San Jose redevelopment director who died this month at 87, lived and reigned through a welter of contradictions.
—Scott Herhold, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
For everything else, his recollection is a sometimes overwhelming welter.
—Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
The welter of stories about unidentified drones over New York and New Jersey multiply, as do the myriad speculations.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
Our mother was at the wheel because Tom refused to learn to drive a car, while Ellen and I sat in the back seat, staring out anxiously from beneath a welter of books and the glinting gold wrappers of a dozen Cadbury Milks.
—Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for welter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for welter
Noun
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The bus driver heard the commotion, pulled over and told everyone to get off.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
12 July 2025
-
Despite the commotion and all the onlookers, Monica does not recall anyone else trying to break up the altercation.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
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In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
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Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The bacteria causing havoc for summer swimmers include E.coli and Enterococcus — nasty germs often found in the feces of people and animals.—
Shreya Srinivasan,
NBC news,
3 July 2025
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Cilic was never in the contest because of a foot blister that was causing havoc with pain and movement, something that was imperative against the balletic Federer.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The process of wallowing in the fine dust allows the material to penetrate feathers or fur that either smothers or drives parasites away, and removes excess skin debris and collected oils.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 July 2025
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Bulls regularly wallow during the rut, spraying piss into shallow ponds to coat themselves in a lather of testosterone-rich mud that cows can smell from a long way.—
Jace Bauserman,
Outdoor Life,
16 July 2025
Noun
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Police standoff after murders Lenexa police responded around 8:30 p.m. to the Donovan family home in the 7900 block of Hallet Street for a reported armed disturbance.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
23 July 2025
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On July 10, the Los Angeles Police Department received two separate 911 calls reporting a disturbance at the residence of American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her musician husband, Thomas Deluca.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
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Orange Bliss: Bursting with a medley of orange flavors, complemented by smooth vanilla and marmalade-like notes from Amarillo hops.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
18 July 2025
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The release of the Cryptopsy medley is the latest addition to a month of ups and downs for Strings, who on Wednesday (July 16) received multiple nominations for the 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards – including entertainer and album of the year.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
17 July 2025
Noun
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These transitions often come with chaos and packed schedules.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Fans can look forward to rapid-fire questions, unexpected moments, and plenty of chaos alongside the rest of the lineup, which includes Hannah Berner, Kaitlyn Bristowe and Stassi Schroeder.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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All week, campers were shuffled from one activity to the next, mixing games, prayers and church services with lectures that coincide with lessons from the Bible.—
Paul Bersebach,
Oc Register,
12 July 2025
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Guevara, 47, has been shuffled through three detention sites despite Immigration Judge James Ward’s decision to grant him bond on July 1, according to The Associated Press.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Welter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/welter. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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