tumult

noun

tu·mult ˈtü-ˌməlt

ˈtyü-

also ˈtə-

Synonyms of tumult

: disorderly agitation or milling about of a crowd usually with uproar and confusion of voices : commotion

: a turbulent uprising : riot

: hubbub, din

: violent agitation of mind or feelings

: a violent outburst

Examples of tumult in a Sentence

We had to shout to be heard over the tumult. The country was in tumult. Her mind was in a tumult of emotions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Despite this tumult, the decade produced countless films of enduring artistic and commercial significance, including these eight memorable classics. — David Faris, TheWeek, 10 Aug. 2026 Bravo audiences are particularly primed for the type of tumult that played out this season of Summer House. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026 Misadventure and misbehavior leave him stranded on the porch of a sympathetic chef and restaurateur (Antonio Banderas), whose kitchen offers a tumult of volatile personalities and whose soulful wisdom confers a sense of adult responsibilities. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026 Amid the tumult and the bluster and the noise, what exactly makes our singular president tick? — Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tumult

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tumulte, from Anglo-French, from Latin tumultus; perhaps akin to Sanskrit tumula noisy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of tumult was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

tumulose

tumult

tumultuary

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Tumult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumult. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tumult

noun

tu·mult ˈt(y)ü-ˌməlt

: uproar

a great tumult arose in the stands

: great confusion of mind

tumult

noun

Synonyms of tumult

Examples of tumult in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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