Turbulent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈtər-byə-lənt/ tur·bu·lent

Meaning & Definition of Turbulent

Turbulent (adjective)

  1. exhibiting physical turbulence
  2. characterized by agitation or tumult, tempestuous
  3. causing unrest, violence, or disturbance

Turbulent (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity

    "the turbulent struggle for civil rights that shook up American society in the 1960s"

    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, tumultuous, 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

  2. 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"

    similar: rough, rugged, stormy, tempestuous, tumultuous, 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 wet and windy conditions

    "expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet"

    similar: bleak, dirty, foul, inclement, nasty, raw, rough, squally, stormy, tempestuous
    related: blowy, blustering, blustery, breezy, gusty, windblown, windswept, cloudy, overcast, sunless, rainy, snowy, foggy, hazy, misty, murky, soupy
    opposite: bright, clear, clement, cloudless, fair, sunny, sunshiny, unclouded
    near: rainless, balmy, calm, halcyon, peaceful, placid, pleasant, serene

  4. marked by sudden or violent disturbance

    "these are turbulent, dangerous times in a region known for being a powder keg"

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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Turbulent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Turbulent:

bang-bang, blood-and-guts, convulsive, cyclonic, explosive, ferocious, fierce, furious, hammer-and-tongs, hot, knock-down, drag-out, paroxysmal, rabid, rough, stormy, tempestuous, tumultuous, violent, volcanic, rugged, wild, bleak, dirty, foul, inclement, nasty, raw, squally, cataclysmal

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Turbulent

Words with the opposite meaning of Turbulent:

nonviolent, peaceable, peaceful, bright, clear, clement, cloudless, fair, sunny, sunshiny, unclouded

Related Words for Turbulent

barbarous, brutal, savage, vicious, antagonistic, hostile, aggressive, assertive, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, gladiatorial, pugnacious, quarrelsome, truculent, combustible, volatile, agitated, frantic, frenzied, mad, destructive, ruinous, blustering, blustery, raging, harsh, severe, roily

Near Antonyms of Turbulent

calm, halcyon, pacific, serene, tranquil, nonbelligerent, unaggressive, placid, quiet, rainless, balmy, pleasant, undisturbed, unperturbed, unshaken, untroubled

Word Forms of Turbulent

Derived words: turbulently (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Turbulent

Latin turbulentus, from turba confusion, crowd turbid

First known use: 1538

Words & Phrases Containing Turbulent

turbulent flow

Frequently Asked Questions about Turbulent

What does "Turbulent" mean?

"Turbulent" means exhibiting physical turbulence. As an adjective, it is defined as: exhibiting physical turbulence. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Turbulent"?

Other words for "Turbulent" include bang-bang, blood-and-guts, convulsive, cyclonic, explosive, ferocious, fierce and furious. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Turbulent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Turbulent"?

There are 83 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Turbulent". Common alternatives include bang-bang, blood-and-guts, convulsive, cyclonic, explosive, ferocious, fierce, furious, hammer-and-tongs and hot.

What is the opposite of "Turbulent"?

Antonyms of "Turbulent" include nonviolent, peaceable, peaceful, bright, clear, clement, cloudless and fair. Near antonyms include calm, halcyon, pacific and serene.

How do you use "Turbulent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Turbulent" in a sentence: "the turbulent struggle for civil rights that shook up American society in the 1960s"; "the turbulent rapids of the river were certainly daunting to those of us who were new to river rafting"; "expect turbulent weather as the cold front brings rain and sleet".

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

"Turbulent" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Turbulent"?

"Turbulent" is pronounced /ˈtər-byə-lənt/ and divided into syllables as tur·bu·lent.

What is the origin of the word "Turbulent"?

"Turbulent" comes from Latin turbulentus, from turba confusion, crowd turbid. First known use: 1538.