TUMULTUOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does tumultuous mean? 

• TUMULTUOUS (adjective)
  The adjective TUMULTUOUS has 1 sense:

1. characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination

  Familiarity information: TUMULTUOUS used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TUMULTUOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination

Synonyms:

disruptive; riotous; troubled; tumultuous; turbulent

Context example:

a turbulent and unruly childhood

Similar:

unquiet (characterized by unrest or disorder)

Derivation:

tumult; tumultuousness (a state of commotion and noise and confusion)

 Context examples 

I remember hearing the sudden barking of the dogs and a lot of queer sounds, like praying on a very tumultuous scale, from Mr. Renfield's room, which is somewhere under this.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

When the sailors saw this and that their return to their native country was apparently assured, a shout of tumultuous joy broke from them, loud and long-continued.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Tumultuous applause followed but received an unexpected check, for the cot bed, on which the dress circle was built, suddenly shut up and extinguished the enthusiastic audience.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

His hard, high-boned face, large piercing eyes, and immense physique made him a fitting leader for that rough and tumultuous body who had named him as their commander-in-chief.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A tumultuous crowd of fishermen, citizens, and women had indeed swarmed out from the northern gate, and approached them up the side of the moor, waving their hands and dancing with joy, as though a great fear had been rolled back from their minds.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

As it opened there came a tumultuous rush into the hall, rapid feet clattered up the stair, and an instant later a wild-eyed and frantic young man, pale, disheveled, and palpitating, burst into the room.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

They did not appear rich, but they were contented and happy; their feelings were serene and peaceful, while mine became every day more tumultuous.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Whilst this hurried scene had been taking place, the crowd had become more and more tumultuous, partly from their impatience at the delay, and partly from their exuberant spirits at the unexpected chance of seeing so celebrated a fighting man as Harrison.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The work was soon finished; in a few minutes a tumultuous sea rolled between me and my enemy, and I was left drifting on a scattered piece of ice that was continually lessening and thus preparing for me a hideous death.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Fifty feet from the door a dozen headlights illuminated a bizarre and tumultuous scene.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)