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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Recent Examples of turbulent
During turbulent times, resist the temptation to abandon your strategy.
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Jamie Robinson, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
But his tenure with the Rangers has been a turbulent one, leading to him being scratched from the lineup Friday morning.
—Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 6 Dec. 2024
The country has faced a turbulent political history that saw authoritarian rule starting from its founding after gaining independence from Japanese colonialism all the way to the 1980s, according to Charles Kim, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024
That was seen by analysts as a symbolic milestone, given France’s stronger fundamentals and Greece’s turbulent market history, which saw its bonds downgraded to junk status in 2010 and subsequent bailouts.
—Jenni Reid,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for turbulent 
Jamie Robinson, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
But his tenure with the Rangers has been a turbulent one, leading to him being scratched from the lineup Friday morning.
—Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 6 Dec. 2024
The country has faced a turbulent political history that saw authoritarian rule starting from its founding after gaining independence from Japanese colonialism all the way to the 1980s, according to Charles Kim, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024
That was seen by analysts as a symbolic milestone, given France’s stronger fundamentals and Greece’s turbulent market history, which saw its bonds downgraded to junk status in 2010 and subsequent bailouts.
—Jenni Reid,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for turbulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turbulent
Adjective
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After a violent campaign in which Buddhists killed a number of priests and destroyed churches, in 1909, locals built the church that Galipeau visited in Cizhong.Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 17 Dec. 2024
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Prosecutors also said that some of the violent pornography Heuermann owned included methods consistent with the injuries to Mack's body and how she was bound with ropes.Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The report comes during a rough period for the retail pharmacy giant.Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024
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Being a rookie who is recovering from a second ACL injury and second ACL surgery soon after recovering from the first ACL injury and surgery is a whole another level of rough.Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Their story could have been told myriad ways and, if the current TV market had anything to say about it: the best way to tell any true crime is to be as bleak, haunting and gory as possible.Ed Herro, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
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This bleak backdrop sets a high barrier for Disney to make a profit on the movie.Caroline Reid, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Aside from the men in her life, Callas had a tumultuous relationship with her family, particularly her mother, Litsa.Katie Mannion, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
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Core values remind leaders—and their teams—of their shared purpose, reinforcing a sense of stability and direction during tumultuous times.Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Light winds, increasing humidity and a chance of rain are forecast to bring relief to Los Angeles on Thursday after dry and windy conditions fueled the spread of the ferocious Franklin fire in Malibu this week.Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
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Tehran, Washington, and five other world powers later inked an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear program in 2015, despite ferocious lobbying from Israeli leaders.Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
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The audience goes wild when Foxx brings back some of his legendary characters and impersonations.Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 10 Dec. 2024
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What grief does to people is pretty wild to behold.Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
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On a recent rainy Wednesday in Manhattan, Leonid Kogut sat and looked in awe at Apex, a stegosaurus that spans 27 feet.Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
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Landed during the rainy season in a swamp, the emigrants found neither fresh water nor waterproof dwellings awaiting them, though they were shortly regaled with a supply of skates!Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024
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With his reputation and legacy on the line, Jay-Z is in for a fierce fight.Molly McPherson, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
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Bridging the hoedown and the ballroom, Beyoncé alternates between angelic croons and fierce commands over a thumping bassline and a springy acoustic guitar.Stephen Kearse, TIME, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near turbulent
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turbulent. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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