tumult

noun

tu·​mult ˈtü-ˌməlt How to pronounce tumult (audio)
ˈtyü-
also ˈtə-
Synonyms of tumult
1
a
: disorderly agitation or milling about of a crowd usually with uproar and confusion of voices : commotion
b
: a turbulent uprising : riot
2
: hubbub, din
3
a
: violent agitation of mind or feelings
b
: a violent outburst

Synonyms of tumult

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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.
That despite tumult and prolonged periods of poor form – having endured a terrible start and with the end of their league campaign similarly tailing off – Villa can find a way to win. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Indelibly capturing the political tumult of 1970s Kerala in stark black and white, Report to Mother has endured as one of South Indian cinema’s most essential works. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026 Student crackdown Jiang’s rise to the top began amid the tumult of the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protests, which were brutally crushed by Chinese troops in what remains one of the most sensitive political taboos in mainland China. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026 The comedy of errors that follows as Ina attempts to solve the nation’s problems, from traffic congestion to energy crisis, doubles as a critique of the despotic regime and the tumult of living in such hellish times. — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 13 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

Browse Nearby Words

tumulose
tumult
tumultuary
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Cite this Entry

“Tumult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumult. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tumult

noun
tu·​mult ˈt(y)ü-ˌməlt How to pronounce tumult (audio)
1
: uproar
a great tumult arose in the stands
2
: great confusion of mind

More from Merriam-Webster on tumult

Nglish: Translation of tumult for Spanish Speakers

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