turbulent

adjective

tur·​bu·​lent ˈtər-byə-lənt 

1

a

: exhibiting physical turbulence

turbulent air

b

: characterized by agitation or tumult : tempestuous

a turbulent marriage

2

: causing unrest, violence, or disturbance

a set of mischievous, turbulent rebels

—Anne Brönte

turbulently adverb

Did you know?

Some people lead turbulent lives, and some are constantly in the grip of turbulent emotions. The late 1960s are remembered as turbulent years of social revolution in America and Europe. Often the captain of an airplane will warn passengers to fasten their seatbelts because of upper-air turbulence, which can make for a bumpy ride. El Niño, a seasonal current of warm water in the Pacific Ocean, may create turbulence in the winds across the United States, affecting patterns of rainfall and temperature as well.

Synonyms

• bang-bang
• blood-and-guts
• convulsive
• cyclonic
• explosive
• ferocious
• fierce
• furious
• hammer-and-tongs
• hot
• knock-down, drag-out
• knock-down-and-drag-out
• paroxysmal
• rabid
• rough
• stormy
• tempestuous
• tumultuous
• violent
• volcanic

Examples of turbulent in a Sentence

Turbulent waters caused the boat to capsize.

The sixties were a turbulent period in American history.

Recent Examples on the Web

Camille was the very smart widow who led the company through the turbulent 1930’s, and insured its success into the future. —Liz Thach, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Then came the two-week journey down the turbulent Yukon River to Dawson, for which travelers had to build their own boats. —Melanie Haiken, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

The microbial layers above the impact are also cluttered with a rusty-red iron mineral called siderite, presumably formed from iron-rich waters churned up from the depths by turbulent tsunamis. —Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 21 Oct. 2024

Another politician who lived in turbulent times and exemplified Stoicism was Marcus Aurelius. —Arianna Huffington, TIME, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin turbulentus, from turba confusion, crowd — more at turbid

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing turbulent

• turbulent flow

Kids Definition

turbulent

adjective

tur·​bu·​lent ˈtər-byə-lənt 

: causing or being in a state of unrest, violence, or disturbance

a turbulent relationship

turbulently adverb