Word
turmoil
Phoneticstur·moil, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɝˌmɔɪɫ/
UK/tˈɜːmɔɪl/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a state of great confusion, excitement, or trouble. You use this when everything feels messy and out of control.
n. a state of extreme confusion, agitation, or disturbance. Often describes political, social, or emotional instability.
Examples
“The country was in political turmoil after the election.”
“The sudden departure of the CEO left the company's leadership in turmoil for several months.”
“Despite the internal turmoil caused by the scandal, the organization managed to maintain its public image through a series of carefully managed press releases.”
Examples
simple
“The country was in political turmoil after the election.”
contextual
“The sudden departure of the CEO left the company's leadership in turmoil for several months.”
complex
“Despite the internal turmoil caused by the scandal, the organization managed to maintain its public image through a series of carefully managed press releases.”
Usage
Commonly follows the preposition 'in' to describe a state of being.
Real-World Examples
“The World Athletics president was responding to a question while speaking to journalists about avoiding political turmoil at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.” “On the other hand, the prospect of a "super" El Niño predicted this autumn - a warming of the Pacific Ocean that occurs every few years - could lead to more turmoil.” Etymology
Unknown. First appears c. 1526. Perhaps from Old French tremouille (“the hopper of a mill”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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