noun
turmoil
TUR-moyl
noun
1
A state of great confusion, disorder, or emotional upheaval.
"The company was in turmoil after its CEO resigned suddenly."
"Her thoughts were in turmoil after receiving the news."
How to Use Turmoil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA messy, unsettled state of chaos or distress, whether in a country, a company, or someone's mind.
Common pairings
political turmoil
emotional turmoil
in turmoil
Word Forms
turmoiled past tense, turmoils plural, turmoils singular
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The company was in _____ after its CEO resigned suddenly.
Etymology
Origin unknown; the word first appears in English around 1526, possibly connected to Old French tremouille, a mill hopper.