1
Core quality
Marked by disorder, instability, violent movement, or rapid unpredictable change.
Example
The country entered a turbulent period of political change.
turbulent
/ˈtɜːbjʊlənt/ · TUR-byuh-luntadjective
Marked by disorder, instability, violent movement, or rapid unpredictable change.
Use turbulent to express this relationship precisely: marked by disorder, instability, violent movement, or rapid unpredictable change.
What turbulent Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Turbulent air shook the aircraft.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The market remained turbulent after the announcement.
Use turbulent Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The country entered a turbulent period of political change.
Turbulent air shook the aircraft.
The market remained turbulent after the announcement.
Precision Matters
Turbulent overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
turbulent
vs.Means marked by disorder, instability, violent movement, or rapid unpredictable change.
placid
Means calm, peaceful, and not easily disturbed or excited.
turbulent
vs.Means marked by disorder, instability, violent movement, or rapid unpredictable change.
immutable
Means unchanging over time or incapable of being changed.
turbulent
vs.Means marked by disorder, instability, violent movement, or rapid unpredictable change.
dynamic
Means characterized by active change, development, or interaction rather than remaining fixed or static.
turbulent
vs.Means marked by disorder, instability, violent movement, or rapid unpredictable change.
chaotic
Means completely disordered, confused, unpredictable, or lacking effective organization.
Test turbulent in Context
The period was unstable, disorderly, and marked by rapid change.
1
Frequent leadership changes and public protests made the decade politically ___.