turbulent

[ tur-byuh-luhnt ]
/ ˈtɜr byə lənt /

adjective

being in a state of agitation or tumult; disturbed: turbulent feelings or emotions.
characterized by, or showing disturbance, disorder, etc.: the turbulent years.
given to acts of violence and aggression: the turbulent young soldiers.

Origin of turbulent

1530–40; < Latin turbulentus restless, equivalent to turb(a) turmoil + -ulentus -ulent

OTHER WORDS FROM turbulent

tur·bu·lent·ly, adverb un·tur·bu·lent, adjective un·tur·bu·lent·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for turbulent

British Dictionary definitions for turbulent

turbulent
/ (ˈtɜːbjʊlənt) /

adjective

being in a state of turbulence
wild or insubordinate; unruly

Derived forms of turbulent

turbulently, adverb

Word Origin for turbulent

C16: from Latin turbulentus, from turba confusion