Tumultuous — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /tu̇-ˈməl-chə-wəs/ tu·mul·tu·ous

Meaning & Definition of Tumultuous

Tumultuous (adjective)

  1. marked by tumult, loud, excited, and emotional
  2. tending or disposed to cause or incite a tumult
  3. marked by violent or overwhelming turbulence or upheaval

Tumultuous (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. marked by sudden or violent disturbance

    "one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of the region"

    similar: cataclysmal, convulsive, stormy, tempestuous, turbulent
    related: fitful, spasmodic, sporadic, boisterous, clamorous, furious, noisy, riotous
    near: calm, peaceful, placid, serene, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed, unshaken, untroubled

  2. marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements

    "watched the tumultuous weather from the dry safety of our house"

    similar: rough, rugged, stormy, tempestuous, turbulent, wild
    related: blustering, blustery, raging, violent, brutal, harsh, severe, roily, unquiet, unsettled, bleak, inclement, nasty, raw, squally
    near: calm, halcyon, peaceful, placid, quiet, serene, tranquil, bright, clear, clement, cloudless, fair, sunny, sunshiny, unclouded

  3. marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity

    "after a tumultuous day of trading, the stock market was down 500 points"

    similar: bang-bang, blood-and-guts, convulsive, cyclonic, explosive, ferocious, fierce, furious, hammer-and-tongs, hot, knock-down, drag-out, paroxysmal, rabid, rough, stormy, tempestuous, turbulent, violent, volcanic
    related: barbarous, brutal, savage, vicious, antagonistic, hostile, aggressive, assertive, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, gladiatorial, pugnacious, quarrelsome, truculent, combustible, volatile, agitated, frantic, frenzied, mad, cataclysmal, destructive, ruinous
    opposite: nonviolent, peaceable, peaceful
    near: calm, halcyon, pacific, serene, tranquil, nonbelligerent, unaggressive

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Tumultuous

The most common words with a similar meaning to Tumultuous:

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

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Tumultuous

Words with the opposite meaning of Tumultuous:

nonviolent, peaceable, peaceful

Related Words for Tumultuous

fitful, spasmodic, sporadic, boisterous, clamorous, noisy, riotous, blustering, blustery, raging, brutal, harsh, severe, roily, unquiet, unsettled, bleak, inclement, nasty, raw, squally, barbarous, savage, vicious, antagonistic, hostile, aggressive, assertive, bellicose, belligerent

Near Antonyms of Tumultuous

calm, placid, serene, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed, unshaken, untroubled, halcyon, quiet, bright, clear, clement, cloudless, fair, sunny, sunshiny, unclouded, pacific, nonbelligerent, unaggressive

Word Forms of Tumultuous

Derived words: tumultuously (adverb), tumultuousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Tumultuous

First known use: 1548

Frequently Asked Questions about Tumultuous

What does "Tumultuous" mean?

"Tumultuous" means marked by tumult, loud, excited, and emotional. As an adjective, it is defined as: marked by tumult, loud, excited, and emotional. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Tumultuous"?

Other words for "Tumultuous" include cataclysmal, convulsive, stormy, tempestuous, turbulent, rough, rugged and wild. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Tumultuous" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Tumultuous"?

There are 66 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Tumultuous". Common alternatives include cataclysmal, convulsive, stormy, tempestuous, turbulent, rough, rugged, wild, bang-bang and blood-and-guts.

What is the opposite of "Tumultuous"?

Antonyms of "Tumultuous" include nonviolent, peaceable and peaceful. Near antonyms include calm, placid, serene and tranquil.

How do you use "Tumultuous" in a sentence?

Examples of "Tumultuous" in a sentence: "one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of the region"; "watched the tumultuous weather from the dry safety of our house"; "after a tumultuous day of trading, the stock market was down 500 points".

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

"Tumultuous" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Tumultuous"?

"Tumultuous" is pronounced /tu̇-ˈməl-chə-wəs/ and divided into syllables as tu·mul·tu·ous.

What is the origin of the word "Tumultuous"?

First known use: 1548.