Tumult — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈtü-ˌməlt/ tu·mult

Meaning & Definition of Tumult

Tumult (noun)

  1. disorderly agitation or milling about of a crowd usually with uproar and confusion of voices, commotion
  2. a turbulent uprising, riot
  3. hubbub, din

Tumult (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a state of noisy, confused activity

    "in the tumult of the evacuation from the coast, we accidentally left on the television, which was of course tuned to the local newscast breathlessly reporting on the hurricane we were fleeing"

    similar: ado, alarums and excursions, ballyhoo, blather, bluster, bobbery, bother, bustle, clatter, clutter (chiefly dialect), coil, commotion, disturbance, do (chiefly dialect), foofaraw, fun, furor, furore, fuss, helter-skelter, hoo-ha, hoopla, hubble-bubble, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly, hurly-burly, hurricane, hurry, hurry-scurry, kerfuffle (chiefly British), moil, pandemonium, pother, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, splore (Scottish), squall, stew, stir, storm, to-do, turmoil, uproar, welter, whirl, williwaw, zoo
    related: cacophony, clamor, din, howl, hue and cry, noise, outcry, racket, roar, disorder, unrest, upheaval, eruption, flare-up, flurry, flutter, outbreak, outburst, brawl, fracas, fray, hassle, melee, scuffle, dither, fever, fret, lather, tizzy
    near: calm, hush, peace, quiet, quietude, rest, stillness, tranquility, order, orderliness

  2. a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)

    "the political tumult that swept the American colonies in the late 1700s"

    similar: bouleversement, cataclysm, convulsion, earthquake, paroxysm, storm, tempest, upheaval, uproar
    related: insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, overthrow, overturn, rebellion, revolt, revolution, subversion, unrest, uprising, upset, fit, seizure, spasm, eruption, flare-up, outbreak, outburst, bluster, bobbery, bustle, coil, commotion, furor, furore, fuss, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, pandemonium, rout, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, to-do, turmoil, welter, williwaw, quaking, rocking, shaking, trembling

  3. a violent shouting

    "went to the window to see what the great tumult was and discovered a crowd of demonstrators marching down the street"

    similar: clamor, howl, hubbub, hue and cry, hullabaloo, noise, outcry, roar, uproar, vociferation
    related: clangor, din, jangle, racket, cri de coeur, outburst, protest
    near: mumble, mumbling, murmur, murmuring, rumble, rumbling

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Tumult

The most common words with a similar meaning to Tumult:

Chiefly dialect: clutter, do
Chiefly British: kerfuffle
Scottish: splore
ado, alarums and excursions, ballyhoo, blather, bluster, bobbery, bother, bustle, clatter, coil, commotion, disturbance, foofaraw, fun, furor, furore, fuss, helter-skelter, hoo-ha, hoopla, hubble-bubble, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly, hurly-burly, hurricane, hurry, hurry-scurry, moil, pandemonium, pother, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, storm

Related Words for Tumult

cacophony, din, racket, disorder, unrest, eruption, flare-up, flurry, flutter, outbreak, outburst, brawl, fracas, fray, hassle, melee, scuffle, dither, fever, fret, lather, tizzy, insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, overthrow, overturn, rebellion, revolt, revolution

Near Antonyms of Tumult

calm, hush, peace, quiet, quietude, rest, stillness, tranquility, order, orderliness, mumble, mumbling, murmur, murmuring, rumble, rumbling

Origin & Etymology of Tumult

Middle English tumulte, from Anglo-French, from Latin tumultus; perhaps akin to Sanskrit tumula noisy

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Tumult

What does "Tumult" mean?

"Tumult" means disorderly agitation or milling about of a crowd usually with uproar and confusion of voices, commotion. As a noun, it is defined as: disorderly agitation or milling about of a crowd usually with uproar and confusion of voices, commotion. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Tumult"?

Other words for "Tumult" include ado, alarums and excursions, ballyhoo, blather, bluster, bobbery, bother and bustle. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Tumult" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Tumult"?

There are 110 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Tumult". Common alternatives include ado, alarums and excursions, ballyhoo, blather, bluster, bobbery, bother, bustle, clatter and clutter.

How do you use "Tumult" in a sentence?

Examples of "Tumult" in a sentence: "in the tumult of the evacuation from the coast, we accidentally left on the television, which was of course tuned to the local newscast breathlessly reporting on the hurricane we were fleeing"; "the political tumult that swept the American colonies in the late 1700s"; "went to the window to see what the great tumult was and discovered a crowd of demonstrators marching down the street".

Is "Tumult" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Tumult" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Tumult"?

"Tumult" is pronounced /ˈtü-ˌməlt/ and divided into syllables as tu·mult.

What is the origin of the word "Tumult"?

"Tumult" comes from Middle English tumulte, from Anglo-French, from Latin tumultus; perhaps akin to Sanskrit tumula noisy. First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Tumult" meaning "a state of noisy, confused activity"?

When "Tumult" (noun) means a state of noisy, confused activity, synonyms include ado, alarums and excursions, ballyhoo, blather, bluster and bobbery.