tumultuous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
    troubled; turbulent; disruptive; riotous.
    • effects of the struggle will be violent and disruptive
    • riotous times
    • these troubled areas
    • the tumultuous years of his administration
    • a turbulent and unruly childhood

WordNet

Tu*mul"tu*ous adjective
Etymology
L. tumultuosus: cf. F. tumultueux.
Definitions
  1. Full of tumult; characterized by tumult; disorderly; turbulent.
    The flight became wild and tumultuous. Macaulay.
  2. Conducted with disorder; noisy; confused; boisterous; disorderly; as, a tumultuous assembly or meeting.
  3. Agitated, as with conflicting passions; disturbed.
    His dire attempt, which, nigh the birth Now rolling, boils in his tumultuous breast. Milton.
  4. Turbulent; violent; as, a tumultuous speech. Syn. -- Disorderly; irregular; noisy; confused; turbulent; violent; agitated; disturbed; boisterous; lawless; riotous; seditious. -- Tu*mul"tu*ous*ly, adv. -- Tu*mul"tu*ous*ness, n.

Webster 1913