turmoil

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈtɜrˌmɔɪl/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty; a condition of extreme disorder or agitation.; A state of emotional or mental agitation; inner turmoil or distress.; A tumultuous commotion or uproar; a violent disturbance or tumult.; A state of social or political unrest, often involving widespread conflict or instability.
  2. verb
    To agitate or disturb; to throw into a state of confusion or disorder (archaic/rare).

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable 3rd sing.: turmoils Past: turmoiled Past part.: turmoiled Pres part.: turmoiling

Collocations

in turmoilpolitical turmoileconomic turmoilemotional turmoilsocial turmoilstate of turmoilcause turmoil

Synonyms

chaosupheavaldisorderconfusiontumultcommotionunrest

Antonyms

ordercalmpeacestabilitytranquility

Commonly confused

tumult
EN: 'Tumult' emphasizes noisy, outward disturbance, while 'turmoil' emphasizes internal confusion and uncertainty.
turbulence
EN: 'Turbulence' is more often used for physical disturbance (air, water) or figurative instability, while 'turmoil' refers to a state of confused disorder.

Spelling tips

EN: Do not confuse with 'tumult'; note the 'oi' in the second syllable of 'turmoil'.

💬 Examples

  1. The country was in turmoil after the sudden collapse of the government.

  2. She was in a state of turmoil after receiving the unexpected news.

  3. The announcement caused a turmoil among the crowd gathered in the square.

  4. The economic crisis plunged the region into years of turmoil.

  5. The sudden revelation turmoiled the once-peaceful community.