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 Brontë
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
In the turbulent spring of 1793, the young United States confronted its first profound foreign policy crisis.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Bailey served as Randal Taylor’s assistant chief for four years between 2020 and 2024, a turbulent time for the department marked by social justice protests, an explosion in police action shootings and police staffing shortages.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 8 Jan. 2026
It’s not known if Victoria Jones also had a co-occurring mental illness but the past year had become increasingly turbulent for her.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Use extra caution near the surf zone as these large waves will be capable of sweeping people into the frigid and turbulent ocean water.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turbulent
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbulent. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Kids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share