- Daily Crossword
- Word Puzzle
- Word Finder
- Word of the Day
- Synonym of the Day
- Word of the Year
- Language stories
- All featured
- Gender and sexuality
- All pop culture
- Grammar Coach ™
- Writing hub
- Grammar essentials
- Commonly confused
- All writing tips
- Pop culture
- Writing tips
full of tumult or riotousness; marked by disturbance and uproar: a tumultuous celebration.
raising a great clatter and commotion; disorderly or noisy: a tumultuous crowd of students.
highly agitated, as the mind or emotions; distraught; turbulent.
Origin of tumultuous
Other words for tumultuous, opposites for tumultuous, other words from tumultuous.
- 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
Words Nearby tumultuous
- Tunbridge ware
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use tumultuous in a sentence
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.
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.
Throughout a tumultuous 2020 and early 2021, brands have paused, tweaked and even blocked social media advertising in response to the crises.
Like other gig companies, Airbnb has had a tumultuous relationship with government officials.
Washington released Haskins, ending the 2019 first-round draft pick’s brief and tumultuous tenure.
William Marshal was born in 1147, and his life was tumultuous from the beginning.
Exploring the pangs of this tumultuous relationship is what most attracted Kent to this project.
And by 1918 there had been a tumultuous upheaval of the four dynasties that dominated East and Central Europe.
Ferdinand Cheval was born the son of peasants in the tumultuous , newly democratic France.
The decision to cease operations at the multi-site church is the culmination of a tumultuous year.
To describe the joy, the intense and tumultuous delight of that moment, were beyond the power of words.
Upon its tumultuous volume they swept forward, side by side… striking out wildly.
Ethel's mind was in too irritated and tumultuous a state for her to derive her usual solace from Cube Root.
Every moment the mob increased in density, and with difficulty the coaches wormed their way through the tumultuous gatherings.
But the majority were occupied with the terrible fate of Henrietta, or were watching the tumultuous crowd outside.
British Dictionary definitions for tumultuous
/ ( tjuːˈmʌltjʊəs ) /
uproarious, riotous, or turbulent : a tumultuous welcome
greatly agitated, confused, or disturbed : a tumultuous dream
making a loud or unruly disturbance : tumultuous insurgents
Derived forms of tumultuous
- tumultuously , adverb
- tumultuousness , noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Synonyms of tumultuous
- as in turbulent
- as in rough
- as in violent
- More from M-W
- To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In
Thesaurus Definition of tumultuous
Synonyms & Similar Words
- cataclysmic
- tempestuous
- cataclysmal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- undisturbed
- unperturbed
- contentious
- knock - down - and - drag - out
- hammer - and - tongs
- blood - and - guts
- knock - down, drag - out
- bang - bang
- destructive
- antagonistic
- belligerent
- combustible
- quarrelsome
- gladiatorial
- unaggressive
- nonbelligerent
Thesaurus Entries Near tumultuous
tumultuously
Cite this Entry
“Tumultuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumultuous. Accessed 1 Mar. 2024.
More from Merriam-Webster on tumultuous
Nglish: Translation of tumultuous for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of tumultuous for Arabic Speakers
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Can you solve 4 words at once?
Word of the day.
See Definitions and Examples »
Get Word of the Day daily email!
Popular in Grammar & Usage
8 grammar terms you used to know, but forgot, homophones, homographs, and homonyms, commonly misspelled words, a guide to em dashes, en dashes, and hyphens, absent letters that are heard anyway, popular in wordplay, the words of the week - mar. 1, 'blue moon,' 'wolf moon,' and other moons to look for throughout the year, 9 superb owl words, 'gaslighting,' 'woke,' 'democracy,' and other top lookups, 10 words for lesser-known games and sports, games & quizzes.
Words and phrases
Personal account.
- Access or purchase personal subscriptions
- Get our newsletter
- Save searches
- Set display preferences
Institutional access
Sign in with library card
Sign in with username / password
Recommend to your librarian
Institutional account management
Sign in as administrator on Oxford Academic
tumultuous adjective
- Show all quotations
What does the adjective tumultuous mean?
There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective tumultuous , two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
How common is the adjective tumultuous ?
How is the adjective tumultuous pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the adjective tumultuous come from.
Earliest known use
The earliest known use of the adjective tumultuous is in the mid 1500s.
OED's earliest evidence for tumultuous is from 1548, in Hall's Vnion .
tumultuous is a borrowing from French.
Etymons: French tumultuous .
Nearby entries
- tumult, n. 1412–
- tumult, v. 1570–
- tumulter, n. 1589–1670
- tumultuarily, adv. 1590–
- tumultuariness, n. 1649–
- tumultuarious, adj. 1895–
- tumultuary, adj. & n. 1590–
- tumultuate, v. 1611–
- tumultuating, n. & adj. 1611–
- tumultuation, n. c1475–
- tumultuous, adj. 1548–
- tumultuously, adv. 1548–
- tumultuousness, n. a1617–
- tumulus, n. 1686–
- tun, n.¹ Old English–
- Tun, n.² a1811–
- tun, v. 1426–
- tuna, n.¹ 1555–
- tuna, n.² 1881–
- tuna, n.³ 1843–
- tunability, n. 1969–
Thank you for visiting Oxford English Dictionary
To continue reading, please sign in below or purchase a subscription
Meaning & use
Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for tumultuous, adj..
tumultuous, adj. was first published in 1915; not yet revised
tumultuous, adj. was last modified in September 2023
Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:
- corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
- new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.
Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into tumultuous, adj. in September 2023.
Earlier versions of tumultuous, adj. were published in:
OED First Edition (1915)
- Find out more
OED Second Edition (1989)
- View tumultuous, adj. in Second Edition
Please submit your feedback for tumultuous, adj.
Please include your email address if you are happy to be contacted about your feedback. OUP will not use this email address for any other purpose.
Citation details
Factsheet for tumultuous, adj., browse entry.
- Dictionaries home
- American English
- Collocations
- German-English
- Grammar home
- Practical English Usage
- Learn & Practise Grammar (Beta)
- Word Lists home
- My Word Lists
- Recent additions
- Resources home
- Text Checker
Definition of tumult noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
- the tumult of war
- A tumult of shouting and screaming came from within the house.
- They waited for the tumult to die down.
- in tumult Soon all was in tumult.
Want to learn more?
Find out which words work together and produce more natural-sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
Example sentences tumultuous period
And this explains why they see this tumultuous period as a window of opportunity.
Public service personnel have been through a tumultuous period .
The deal would resolve all criminal and civil penalties and draw a line under the most tumultuous period in the company's history.
Koff's use of newsreels, photographs and then-contemporaneous interviews with those who lived through this tumultuous period , has been praised for its authenticity and archival value.
We also see during this tumultuous period the building of many fortifications to protect the population from the uncertainties of conquest from abroad.
Definition of 'tumultuous' tumultuous
Definition of 'period' period
COBUILD Collocations tumultuous period
Browse alphabetically tumultuous period.
- tumultuation
- tumultuous period
- tumultuous week
- tumultuous year
- All ENGLISH words that begin with 'T'
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Score: 0 / 5
Wordle Helper
Scrabble Tools
- Daily Crossword
- Word Puzzle
- Word Finder
- Word of the Day
- Synonym of the Day
- Word of the Year
- Language stories
- All featured
- Gender and sexuality
- All pop culture
- Grammar Coach ™
- Writing hub
- Grammar essentials
- Commonly confused
- All writing tips
- Pop culture
- Writing tips
Advertisement
adjective as in uproarious; boisterous; noisy
Strongest matches
Weak matches
- obstreperous
- rambunctious
- rumbustious
- unrestrained
Discover More
Related words.
Words related to tumultuous are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word tumultuous . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.
adjective as in noisy and mischievous
- effervescent
adjective as in utterly confused
- disorganized
- every which way
- harum-scarum
- helter-skelter
- purposeless
- topsy-turvy
- uncontrolled
adjective as in violent, menacing
- bloodthirsty
- frightening
- tempestuous
- threatening
- uncontrollable
adjective as in stormy, turbulent
- concentrated
- intensified
- ungovernable
adjective as in frantic, turbulent
- hell broke loose
- rip-roaring
Viewing 5 / 22 related words
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.
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.
Throughout a tumultuous 2020 and early 2021, brands have paused, tweaked and even blocked social media advertising in response to the crises.
Like other gig companies, Airbnb has had a tumultuous relationship with government officials.
Washington released Haskins, ending the 2019 first-round draft pick’s brief and tumultuous tenure.
William Marshal was born in 1147, and his life was tumultuous from the beginning.
Exploring the pangs of this tumultuous relationship is what most attracted Kent to this project.
And by 1918 there had been a tumultuous upheaval of the four dynasties that dominated East and Central Europe.
Ferdinand Cheval was born the son of peasants in the tumultuous, newly democratic France.
The decision to cease operations at the multi-site church is the culmination of a tumultuous year.
To describe the joy, the intense and tumultuous delight of that moment, were beyond the power of words.
Upon its tumultuous volume they swept forward, side by side… striking out wildly.
Ethel's mind was in too irritated and tumultuous a state for her to derive her usual solace from Cube Root.
Every moment the mob increased in density, and with difficulty the coaches wormed their way through the tumultuous gatherings.
But the majority were occupied with the terrible fate of Henrietta, or were watching the tumultuous crowd outside.
Synonym of the day
Start each day with the Synonym of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
On this page you'll find 59 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to tumultuous, such as: boisterous, fierce, hectic, raucous, riotous, and stormy.
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
Song Meanings and Facts
I’m a Mess – Navigating the Tumultuous Journey of Love and Chaos
by SMF AI · January 15, 2024
- Music Video
- Song Meaning
Unraveling the Chaos Within
A tapestry of regret and optimism, a love that burns bright, even in darkness, the siren call of devotion’s dark side, the hidden depths of a lover’s chant.
And oh, I’ve known it for the longest time And all of my hope All of my words are all over written on the signs When you’re on my road walking me home Home, home, home, home
See the flames inside my eyes It burns so bright I wanna feel your love No, easy baby, maybe I’m a liar But for tonight I wanna fall in love And put your faith in my stomach
I messed up this time Late last night Drinking to suppress devotion With fingers intertwined I can’t shake this feeling now We’re going through the motions Hoping you’d stop
And oh, I’ve only caused you pain, you know That all of my words will always be low Of all the lies spoke When you’re on my road walking me home Home, home, home, home
And for how long I love my lover For how long I love my lover and now, now For how long, long I love my lover, now, now For how long, long I love my lover, now, now
Full Lyrics
Ed Sheeran, known for his poignant lyricism and soulful harmonies, takes listeners on a deeply personal journey with ‘I’m a Mess’. The song is a raw, emotional odyssey that beautifully encapsulates the confusion and conflict that riddle one’s inner world during tumultuous times in a relationship.
Underneath the seemingly straightforward account of love and regret lies a layered tapestry of emotional depth; a song that taps into the collective heartache of anyone who’s ever felt adrift in the storm of their own relationships. Here, we dissect the powerful themes that make ‘I’m a Mess’ a haunting anthem of vulnerability and yearning.
The title itself, ‘I’m a Mess’, sets the stage for a confessional. Sheeran paints a portrait of a soul in disarray, caught in the throes of an inner turmoil that seeps through every chord. The phrase ‘Inside out’ vividly describes the feeling of being entirely consumed by emotion, leaving one’s internal chaos exposed for the world to see.
Through the passionate vocals, there’s a palpable search for peace—or ‘a sweet surrender’—amid the cacophony of love’s battles. This plea for relief suggests a hope for resolution and a hint of optimism amid despair, indicating Sheeran’s belief that this chaotic state is not the final act of his love story.
In the song, Sheeran confesses to engaging in ‘the motions’ of a relationship in decay, where actions feel empty and devoid of the passionate love that once was. Yet, nestled within this lament is a persistent glimmer of hope, as he sings, ‘But this is not the end’.
It’s this paradoxical blend of resignation and hope that strikes a chord with listeners. The emotional rollercoaster mirrors real-life relationships, where even at low points, there’s a desire to believe in the possibility of revival and redemption.
‘See the flames inside my eyes’ speaks of an intensity that refuses to be quenched. Sheeran’s portrayal of love as a fire within suggests that even at his lowest, his love remains a fierce, burning force that yearns for connection and desires to be felt.
The duality of claiming to be a ‘liar’ while simultaneously expressing a wish to ‘fall in love’ epitomizes the jarring honesty with which someone might confront their own flaws within the context of a relationship. It’s the acknowledgment of imperfection, coupled with the raw desire to feel love, that makes Sheeran’s plea so relatable.
Ed Sheeran doesn’t shy away from exposing the darker side of love in ‘I’m a Mess’. The lines ‘Drinking to suppress devotion’ and ‘fingers intertwined’ construct an evocative image of someone grappling with their feelings – seeking solace in substances while yearning for closeness.
This imagery resonates with anyone who’s ever found themselves reaching for temporary fixes in an attempt to numb the pain of a troubled relationship, all while longing for the intimacy and connection that only true affection and shared moments can provide.
Repetition can be a handy tool in a songwriter’s kit, and Sheeran uses it masterfully in the haunting refrain ‘For how long, long I love my lover’. The mantra-like repetition serves as a rhythmic anchor, a constant amidst the disarray, suggesting both an eternal commitment to his lover and a mesmerizing uncertainty about the love’s longevity.
It’s the ambiguity encapsulated in this repeated line — a lover’s love spanning the here and now, yet timeless in its depth — that hints at the hidden dimensions of the song. It’s as much an ode to the perseverance of love as it is an acknowledgment of its fragility, creating a poignant paradox at the heart of this achingly beautiful track.
Related posts:
- Ed Sheeran’s “Eyes Closed” Lyrics Meaning
- “Boat” by Ed Sheeran
- Ed Sheeran’s “End of Youth” Lyrics Meaning
- Meaning of “Salt Water” by Ed Sheeran
- “Dusty” by Ed Sheeran
- “Life Goes On” by Ed Sheeran
- “Spark” by Ed Sheeran
- “A Beautiful Game” by Ed Sheeran
- Shape of You by Ed Sheeran Lyrics Meaning – Deciphering the Sensual Symbolism of Desire
- Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Layers of Timeless Romance
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Name (Optional)
You may also like...
Visiting Hours – A Tender Journey Through Loss and Reflection
January 22, 2024
by SMF AI · Published January 22, 2024
“Sigue” by J Balvin and Ed Sheeran
March 31, 2022
by Amanda London · Published March 31, 2022
“I Don’t Care” by Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber
May 11, 2019
by SMF · Published May 11, 2019 · Last modified May 17, 2019
Song Meanings & Facts
- Terms and Conditions
- Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Meaning of tumultuously in English
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
- His heart started beating tumultuously.
- After the bridge , three tumultuously busy lanes suddenly funnel into two.
- They fled tumultuously, escaping by every possible outlet from the fortress .
- bang something out
- bash something out
- boisterously
- disturbance
- ring with something
Examples of tumultuously
Translations of tumultuously.
Get a quick, free translation!
Word of the Day
topsy-turvy
(in a state of being) confused, not well organized, or giving importance to unexpected things
World-famous and newfound fame (Collocations of ‘famous’ and ‘fame’)
Learn more with +Plus
- Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
- Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
- Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
- Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
- English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
- English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
- English–Dutch Dutch–English
- English–French French–English
- English–German German–English
- English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
- English–Italian Italian–English
- English–Japanese Japanese–English
- English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
- English–Polish Polish–English
- English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
- English–Spanish Spanish–English
- English–Swedish Swedish–English
- Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
- English Adverb
- Translations
- All translations
Add tumultuously to one of your lists below, or create a new one.
{{message}}
Something went wrong.
There was a problem sending your report.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
tumultuous: [adjective] marked by tumult : loud, excited, and emotional.
TUMULTUOUS definition: 1. very loud, or full of confusion, change, or uncertainty: 2. very loud, or full of confusion…. Learn more.
tumultuous: 1 adj characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination "the tumultuous years of his administration" Synonyms: disruptive , riotous , troubled , turbulent unquiet characterized by unrest or disorder
Tumultuous definition: full of tumult or riotousness; marked by disturbance and uproar. See examples of TUMULTUOUS used in a sentence.
TUMULTUOUS meaning: 1. very loud, or full of confusion, change, or uncertainty: 2. very loud, or full of confusion…. Learn more.
3 meanings: 1. uproarious, riotous, or turbulent 2. greatly agitated, confused, or disturbed 3. making a loud or unruly.... Click for more definitions.
Definition of tumultuous adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
TUMULT definition: 1. a loud noise, especially that produced by an excited crowd, or a state of confusion, change, or…. Learn more.
Synonyms for TUMULTUOUS: turbulent, cataclysmic, convulsive, tempestuous, stormy, sporadic, fitful, spasmodic; Antonyms of TUMULTUOUS: peaceful, calm, undisturbed ...
There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective tumultuous, two of which are labelled obsolete. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
The president's appearance at the Time Warner Cable Arena underscored the tumultuous journey he and the country have been on since his first nomination in Denver. 3 The New York Times Last month, I wrote about a Syrian refugee named Ghaith, who had ...
tumultuous in American English. (tuːˈmʌltʃuːəs, tjuː-) adjective. 1. full of tumult or riotousness; marked by disturbance and uproar. a tumultuous celebration. 2. raising a great clatter and commotion; disorderly or noisy. a tumultuous crowd of students.
tumultuous - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.
tumultuous meaning: full of noise and excitement: . Learn more.
a confused situation in which there is usually a lot of noise and excitement, often involving large numbers of people. the tumult of war; A tumult of shouting and screaming came from within the house.
adj. 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. ♦ tumultuously adv. ♦ tumultuousness n.
tumultuous. 1 adj A tumultuous event or period of time involves many exciting and confusing events or feelings. usu ADJ n. ...the tumultuous changes in Eastern Europe..., It's been a tumultuous day at the international trade negotiations in Brussels. 2 adj A tumultuous reaction to something is very noisy, because the people involved are very ...
TUMULTUOUS PERIOD definition | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples
Find 37 different ways to say TUMULTUOUS, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.
TUMULTUOUS definition: full of noise and excitement: . Learn more.
Ed Sheeran, known for his poignant lyricism and soulful harmonies, takes listeners on a deeply personal journey with 'I'm a Mess'. The song is a raw, emotional odyssey that beautifully encapsulates the confusion and conflict that riddle one's inner world during tumultuous times in a relationship.
TUMULTUOUSLY meaning: 1. in a way that is tumultuous (= very loud, or full of confusion): 2. in a way that is tumultuous…. Learn more.
Producer. DJ CMEROCK. Years of Abuse by Snake is a powerful R&B song that delves into the tumultuous journey of addiction, self-destruction, and the longing for redemption. The lyrics of the song provide a raw and honest account of the artist's personal experiences with substance abuse and the consequences it has had on his life.