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as in turbulent
marked by sudden or violent disturbance in terms of social change, the 1960s are generally considered the most tempestuous decade in recent American history

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tempestuous That should be a clue to why stars appear to twinkle, since the ISS orbits 254 miles (409 km) above the Earth — and its tempestuous atmosphere. Joe Rao, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2025 An affirmative vision of what the world should be is the inspiration for many of those who, in these tempestuous early months of Trump 2.0, have taken meaningful risks—acts of American dissent. Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025 The move followed a tempestuous meeting between the president and Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, on February 21. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025 The new coach’s tempestuous history does create even more emphasis on the next major hire Maryland must make, a replacement for athletic director Damon Evans. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tempestuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempestuous
Adjective
  • The protests had been largely peaceful throughout Friday and Saturday, with isolated instances of violent activity.
    Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Noni finds herself up against Lion’s violent henchmen and women in series of fight-to-the-death encounters aboard the tyrant’s grandiose sailing ship, which lies at the heart of a vast naval fleet.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump’s turbulent tariff policy is projected to cause a sharper slowdown in economic growth in the United States and around the world than previously expected, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) found in a Tuesday report.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 3 June 2025
  • This turbulent phase will pass, leading to more peaceful times ahead.
    Essence, Essence, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Cloudy skies, rough surf and limited battery life can all reduce their effectiveness.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • America, then, was visible to Fuller as the ferocious winds destroyed the vessel.
    James Marcus, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • The Thunder are deep, play ferocious defense and have a star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who embraces the big moment.
    Bob Harkins, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Caron was used to seeing my fiery side, the fierce competitor, the demanding coach.
    Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2025
  • The feedback was fierce—storyboards dismantled, ideas shredded—but the environment was psychologically safe.
    Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Ripley capped off a furious comeback with a Razor’s Edge toss of Perez onto Giulia, followed by a slam onto a ladder lodged between the first and second ropes.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • Then came the very public split between President Trump and Elon Musk, and a flurry of furious Twitter/X and Truth Social postings, aimed at each other with razor-sharp edges.
    Space.com Staff, Space.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • The measurements suggest that the ruthenium-containing rocks came from the boundary between the core of the Earth and the Mantle and then to the crust through volcanic vents.
    David Szondy June 07, New Atlas, 7 June 2025
  • Schrodinger basin, a large impact crater near the moon’s south pole, shows evidence of geologically recent volcanic activity.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • But then a summer came and went, with rabid fans left waiting (due to the writers' and actors' guild strikes) to see which Fisher brother, if any, Belly chooses in the end of the onscreen adaptation.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • Lawrence often has this frisky, rabid grin that’s irresistible to watch but also scary.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tempestuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempestuous. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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