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
Introducing the film ahead of the screening, Serkis reflected on the project’s turbulent journey from conception to completion.
—
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
Now, that seemingly straightforward robbery and battery case has thrust the two men into the national spotlight, their story a flashpoint in the Trump administration’s turbulent immigration crackdown.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
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, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
Now, that seemingly straightforward robbery and battery case has thrust the two men into the national spotlight, their story a flashpoint in the Trump administration’s turbulent immigration crackdown.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
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, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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The protests had been largely peaceful throughout Friday and Saturday, with isolated instances of violent activity.—
Michael Wilner,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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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
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Everyone plodded along, trying desperately to avoid rough that hasn’t been cut and greens that never seem to lose their speed.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2025
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More Getty Images Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, had a rough week.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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The somewhat bleak outlook was laid bare Tuesday night after the USMNT was thrashed 4-0 by Switzerland during a friendly in Nashville.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
11 June 2025
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Instead of learning from this bleak recent history, Americans are now painfully absorbing this lesson by repeating it.—
Jonathan Haskel,
Foreign Affairs,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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Unfortunately, the period following the historic announcement has been tumultuous.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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The confrontation near a Home Depot at 6400 Alondra Blvd. had escalated over the course of the day into a fiery and tumultuous clash, even as federal officials warned of further immigration raids coming to Los Angeles.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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America, then, was visible to Fuller as the ferocious winds destroyed the vessel.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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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
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Kohlrabi reappears in a soup over apple and shellfish ceviche, while wild asparagus is bathed in rosemary, thyme, and za’atar, then finished with a green jus and osetra caviar.—
Rooksana Hossenally,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday, the White Lotus star recalled how Moore put together a wild party for the actors playing Navy Seals in the film, as well as the Navy Seals who were training them for the film.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Pollination season was windy, cold and rainy — but supply chain problems began to improve and inventory came down.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
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The best chance for storms in and around the city will be between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but rainy weather could continue after midnight, forecasters said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Sanders’s Senate counterpart, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), is a fierce Trump critic.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
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Meta’s big bet on Wang fits into CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plans to bolster his company’s AI efforts amid fierce competition from OpenAI and Google-parent Alphabet.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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