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Definitions

turbulent

[tur-byuh-luhnt] / ˈtɜr byə lənt /
ADJECTIVE
unsettled, raging (referring to weather)
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bitter bumpy choppy fierce rough stormy swirling tempestuous unstable violent
WEAK
agitated blustering blustery boiling coarse confused destructive disordered disturbed foaming furious howling inclement moiling noisy restless riotous roaring ruffled rugged stirred up stormful storming thunderous tremulous tumultuous wild
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm gentle kind mild moderate nice peaceful smooth
WEAK
manageable obedient settled stable
ADJECTIVE
rebellious, unmanageable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bitter chaotic fierce lawless quarrelsome raucous rough rowdy unruly violent
WEAK
agitated anarchic angry boisterous demonstrative destructive disorderly excited fiery foaming insubordinate mutinous obstreperous passionate perturbed rabid rambunctious rampant refractory riotous roughhouse rude seditious shaking stern storming termagant unbridled uncontrolled undisciplined ungovernable untamed uproarious vehement vociferous wild
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable calm gentle kind mild moderate nice peaceful quiet
WEAK
manageable obedient settled stable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The King's second task was to try to pour some oil on turbulent political waters across the Atlantic.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 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.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Two years ago, she walked away from what had once been a promising career after a turbulent management change left her overwhelmed and deeply unhappy.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

United’s merger in 2010 with Continental had been a turbulent process beset by tech snafus and labor disputes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

They moved back toward Svalbard and south a little, soaring for several hours under a sky turbulent with strange lights and shadows.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman

Vocabulary lists containing turbulent

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 16–19

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"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary

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This Week in Words: October 13 – 20, 2018

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