Turmoil — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈtər-ˌmȯi(-ə)l/ tur·moil

Meaning & Definition of Turmoil

Turmoil (noun)

  1. a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion

Turmoil (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a disturbed or uneasy state

    "was in turmoil most of the night, trying to convince himself he had made the right decision"

    similar: disquiet, ferment, fermentation, restiveness, restlessness, Sturm und Drang, uneasiness, unquietness, unrest
    related: fidgets, commotion, confusion, excitement, hubbub, moil, stir, storm, trouble, tumult, tumultuousness, turbulence, upheaval, uproar, unsettlement, disruption, perturbation, agitation, anxiety, disquietude, inquietude, queasiness, tension, unease, anarchy, chaos, disorder, welter
    opposite: calm, ease, peace, peacefulness, quiet, tranquility
    near: order, orderliness

  2. a state of noisy, confused activity

    "avoided the turmoil of the mall during the holiday season"

    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, tumult, 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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Turmoil

The most common words with a similar meaning to Turmoil:

Chiefly dialect: clutter, do
Chiefly British: kerfuffle
Scottish: splore
disquiet, ferment, fermentation, restiveness, restlessness, Sturm und Drang, uneasiness, unquietness, unrest, 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

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Turmoil

Words with the opposite meaning of Turmoil:

calm, ease, peace, peacefulness, quiet, tranquility

Related Words for Turmoil

fidgets, confusion, excitement, trouble, tumultuousness, turbulence, upheaval, unsettlement, disruption, perturbation, agitation, anxiety, disquietude, inquietude, queasiness, tension, unease, anarchy, chaos, disorder, cacophony, clamor, din, howl, hue and cry, noise, outcry, racket, roar, eruption

Near Antonyms of Turmoil

order, orderliness, hush, quietude, rest, stillness

Origin & Etymology of Turmoil

origin unknown

First known use: 1526

Frequently Asked Questions about Turmoil

What does "Turmoil" mean?

"Turmoil" means a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion. As a noun, it is defined as: a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Turmoil"?

Other words for "Turmoil" include disquiet, ferment, fermentation, restiveness, restlessness, Sturm und Drang, uneasiness and unquietness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Turmoil" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Turmoil"?

There are 106 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Turmoil". Common alternatives include disquiet, ferment, fermentation, restiveness, restlessness, Sturm und Drang, uneasiness, unquietness, unrest and ado.

What is the opposite of "Turmoil"?

Antonyms of "Turmoil" include calm, ease, peace, peacefulness, quiet and tranquility. Near antonyms include order, orderliness, hush and quietude.

How do you use "Turmoil" in a sentence?

Examples of "Turmoil" in a sentence: "was in turmoil most of the night, trying to convince himself he had made the right decision"; "avoided the turmoil of the mall during the holiday season".

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

"Turmoil" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Turmoil"?

"Turmoil" is pronounced /ˈtər-ˌmȯi(-ə)l/ and divided into syllables as tur·moil.

What is the origin of the word "Turmoil"?

"Turmoil" comes from origin unknown. First known use: 1526.