turbulent

[tur-byuh-luhnt]

adjective

1. being in a state of agitation or tumult; disturbed.

   turbulent feelings or emotions.

   Synonyms: disordered, tempestuous, violent, tumultuous, agitated

2. characterized by, or showing disturbance, disorder, etc..

   the turbulent years.

3. given to acts of violence and aggression.

   the turbulent young soldiers.

turbulent

/ ˈtɜːbjʊlənt /

adjective

1. being in a state of turbulence

2. wild or insubordinate; unruly

Other Word Forms

• turbulently adverb
• unturbulent adjective
• unturbulently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of turbulent¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin turbulentus “restless,” from turb(a) “turmoil” + -ulentus -ulent

Word History and Origins

Origin of turbulent¹

C16: from Latin turbulentus , from turba confusion

Example Sentences

But Mother Mary Comes to Me is just not a turbulent family chronicle.

From BBC

Collected by gliders, floats and drifters, these instruments provide valuable information about the most turbulent region of the hurricane environment, called the boundary layer, where the air meets the ocean.

From BBC

The tribunal findings come after a turbulent few months for the Church in Wales.

From BBC

Defeat - after a late Jorgen Strand Larsen brace - condemned the winless Hammers to another loss at the start of an already turbulent season.

From BBC

It was an end to a really turbulent year.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bitter 
• bumpy 
• choppy 
• fierce 
• rough 
• stormy 
• swirling www.thesaurus.com
• tempestuous 
• unstable 
• violent