ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tumultuous

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˌtuˈməɫˌtʃuəs// UK //tjuːmˈʌltʃuːəs// tu·mul·tuous

adj. loud, confused, and full of strong emotions or change. You use this to describe a time or situation that is very messy and not peaceful.

adj. characterised by disorder, confusion, or loud, excited activity. Often describes historical periods, personal relationships, or physical environments marked by upheaval.


SIMPLE

The crowd gave the speaker a tumultuous welcome.

CONTEXTUAL

After a tumultuous decade of political change, the country finally held its first peaceful elections.

COMPLEX

The explorer's journals provide a vivid account of his tumultuous journey across the Atlantic, detailing both the violent storms and the internal conflicts among his weary crew.

Synonyms
Origin

From Old French tumultuous (modern French tumultueux), from Latin tumultuōsus (“restless, turbulent”), from tumultus (“disturbance, uproar, violent commotion, tumult; agitation, disturbance, excitement”) + -ōsus (suffix meaning ‘full of, prone to’ forming adjectives from nouns).

Usage

Commonly used to modify abstract nouns like 'period', 'relationship', or 'history'.

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