turbulent
adjective
tur·bu·lent
ˈtər-byə-lənt 
1
a
: exhibiting physical turbulence
turbulent air
b
: characterized by agitation or tumult : tempestuous
a turbulent marriage
2
: causing unrest, violence, or disturbance
a set of mischievous, turbulent rebels—
Anne Brönte
Anne Brönte
turbulently
adverb
Did you know?
Some people lead turbulent lives, and some are constantly in the grip of turbulent emotions. The late 1960s are remembered as turbulent years of social revolution in America and Europe. Often the captain of an airplane will warn passengers to fasten their seatbelts because of upper-air turbulence, which can make for a bumpy ride. El Niño, a seasonal current of warm water in the Pacific Ocean, may create turbulence in the winds across the United States, affecting patterns of rainfall and temperature as well.
Examples of turbulent in a Sentence
Turbulent waters caused the boat to capsize.
The sixties were a turbulent period in American history.
Recent Examples on the Web
President Donald Trump’s turbulent tariff policy is projected to cause a sharper slowdown in economic growth in the United States and around the world than previously expected, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) found in a Tuesday report.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 3 June 2025
This turbulent phase will pass, leading to more peaceful times ahead.
—Essence, 2 June 2025
Despite their turbulent past, however, Fenty and his daughter remained in contact and stayed in each other's lives.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Although flippant, LuPone’s words only serve to hurt everyone during a turbulent time for the arts in America, the open letter from the theater community said.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
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Solcyré Burga, Time, 3 June 2025
This turbulent phase will pass, leading to more peaceful times ahead.
—Essence, 2 June 2025
Despite their turbulent past, however, Fenty and his daughter remained in contact and stayed in each other's lives.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Although flippant, LuPone’s words only serve to hurt everyone during a turbulent time for the arts in America, the open letter from the theater community said.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbulent. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
turbulent
adjective
tur·bu·lent
ˈtər-byə-lənt
: causing or being in a state of unrest, violence, or disturbance
a turbulent relationship
turbulently
adverb
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