tumultuous

[ too-muhl-choo-uhs, tyoo- ]

adjective

1. full of tumult or riotousness; marked by disturbance and uproar:

   a tumultuous celebration.

   Synonyms: violent, turbulent, uproarious

   Antonyms: quiet, calm

2. raising a great clatter and commotion; disorderly or noisy:

   a tumultuous crowd of students.

   Synonyms: boisterous

   Antonyms: quiet, calm

3. highly agitated, as the mind or emotions; distraught; turbulent.

   Synonyms: unquiet

   Antonyms: quiet, calm

tumultuous

/ tjuːˈmʌltjʊəs /

adjective

1. uproarious, riotous, or turbulent

   a tumultuous welcome

2. greatly agitated, confused, or disturbed

   a tumultuous dream

3. making a loud or unruly disturbance

   tumultuous insurgents

Derived Forms

• tuˈmultuousness, noun
• tuˈmultuously, adverb

Other Words From

• tu·multu·ous·ly adverb
• tu·multu·ous·ness noun
• nontu·multu·ous adjective
• nontu·multu·ous·ly adverb
• nontu·multu·ous·ness noun
• untu·multu·ous adjective
• untu·multu·ous·ly adverb
• untu·multu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tumultuous¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin tumultuōsus, from tumultu(s) tumult + -ōsus -ous

Example Sentences

It seems to signal the waning stages of a tumultuous ride, in which retail investors on Reddit boosted the stock, trying to squeeze short-sellers who were betting against the company.

From Quartz

Tully’s tumultuous childhood leaves her in constant search of love and approval while Kate’s shy demeanor holds her back from going after what she really wants.

From Time

Throughout a tumultuous 2020 and early 2021, brands have paused, tweaked and even blocked social media advertising in response to the crises.

From Digiday

Like other gig companies, Airbnb has had a tumultuous relationship with government officials.

From Quartz

Washington released Haskins, ending the 2019 first-round draft pick’s brief and tumultuous tenure.

From Washington Post

William Marshal was born in 1147, and his life was tumultuous from the beginning.

From The Daily Beast

Exploring the pangs of this tumultuous relationship is what most attracted Kent to this project.

From The Daily Beast

And by 1918 there had been a tumultuous upheaval of the four dynasties that dominated East and Central Europe.

From The Daily Beast

Ferdinand Cheval was born the son of peasants in the tumultuous, newly democratic France.

From The Daily Beast

The decision to cease operations at the multi-site church is the culmination of a tumultuous year.

From The Daily Beast

To describe the joy, the intense and tumultuous delight of that moment, were beyond the power of words.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon its tumultuous volume they swept forward, side by side… striking out wildly.

From Project Gutenberg

Ethel's mind was in too irritated and tumultuous a state for her to derive her usual solace from Cube Root.

From Project Gutenberg

Every moment the mob increased in density, and with difficulty the coaches wormed their way through the tumultuous gatherings.

From Project Gutenberg

But the majority were occupied with the terrible fate of Henrietta, or were watching the tumultuous crowd outside.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boisterous
• fierce
• hectic
• raucous
• riotous
• stormy
• turbulent
• violent