Meaning & use

turbulent

adjective·Academic

Marked by conflict, disorder, or sudden violent movement, whether in weather, water, or events.

See it in a sentence

The plane shook violently as it flew through turbulent air over the mountains.

The country endured a turbulent decade of coups and economic crises.

A note on using this word

Turbulent applies equally to physical motion, like turbulent water, and to unstable periods in politics or personal life.

Words with a similar meaning

chaoticstormy

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

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