turmoil
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for turmoil, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A state of great confusion, disorder, or emotional upheaval.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use turmoil
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
political turmoil
emotional turmoil
in turmoil
Etymology
Origin unknown; the word first appears in English around 1526, possibly connected to Old French tremouille, a mill hopper.
Full origin of turmoil →Frequently asked questions
What does “turmoil” mean?
The word “turmoil” means a state of great confusion, disorder, or emotional upheaval. In plain terms, a messy, unsettled state of chaos or distress, whether in a country, a company, or someone's mind.
How do you pronounce “turmoil”?
“Turmoil” is pronounced TUR-moyl (/ˈtɜːmɔɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “turmoil” in a sentence?
Here is “turmoil” used in a sentence: “The company was in turmoil after its CEO resigned suddenly.”
What is another word for “turmoil”?
Words with a similar meaning to “turmoil” include chaos and disorder.
What part of speech is “turmoil”?
“Turmoil” is a noun.
Where does the word “turmoil” come from?
The word “turmoil” dates back to around 1526 and comes from Old French. Origin unknown; the word first appears in English around 1526, possibly connected to Old French tremouille, a mill hopper.
Is “turmoil” a common word?
“Turmoil” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
