tumult
gb/tˈuməlt/ us/tˈuməlt/
C1
English
~ 25400
lárma, hangzavar, belső zaklatottság, lelki zűrzavar, zűrzavar, felfordulás
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
the tumult of [something]
The judge struggled to make herself heard over the tumult in the courtroom.
A bíró alig tudta túlkiabálni a tárgyalóteremben uralkodó lármát.
As the band walked on stage, a great tumult of cheering and shouting filled the arena.
Amikor a zenekar színpadra lépett, az üdvrivalgás és a kiabálás hatalmas hangzavara betöltötte az arénát.
Police sirens added to the tumult of horns and shouting in the packed city square.
The door burst open and a tumult of footsteps and excited voices rushed into the hall.
Learner examples
We could not talk in the tumult of the busy market.
A zsúfolt piac hangzavarában nem tudtunk beszélgetni.
The teacher raised his hand to calm the tumult in the classroom.
A tanár felemelte a kezét, hogy lecsillapítsa az osztálytermi lármát.
Fans created a tumult when the singer came on stage.
I heard a sudden tumult in the street and went to the window.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "tumult" with "tumble" because they look similar. "Tumult" is a noise or state of chaos; "tumble" is the action of falling or turning over.
Meaning
loud, confused noise from a crowd
Collocations
tumult of voices
|amid the tumult
|over the tumult
|tumult and shouting
|rise above the tumult
Synonyms
uproar (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and less formal than "tumult.")
Antonyms
silence (Describes the complete absence of sound, which contrasts with the loud noise of tumult.)
Themes
sound
|crowds
|events
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
A loud and confused noise made by many people or by wild movement.
A loud, confused, and often continuous noise made by a large group of people or by chaotic movement.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
a tumult of [feelings/emotions]
He hid his inner tumult behind a calm smile.
Nyugodt mosoly mögé rejtette belső zaklatottságát.
Her mind was in a tumult of fear, hope, and confusion.
Bensőjében félelem, remény és zavarodottság kavargott.
After the sudden news, he sat in silent tumult, unable to sort his feelings.
The diary reveals the emotional tumult she experienced during those years.
Learner examples
She felt a tumult of sadness and anger.
Szomorúság és düh kavargott benne.
His heart was in tumult after the breakup.
A szakítás után mély belső zaklatottságot érzett.
In her inner tumult, she could not make a clear choice.
The bad news threw him into deep tumult.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use "tumult" like an adjective (e.g., *"I feel tumult" or *"I am tumult"). It is a noun, so it should be used in phrases like "I feel inner tumult" or "My emotions are in tumult."
Meaning
inner emotional confusion or turmoil
Collocations
inner tumult
|emotional tumult
|a tumult of emotions
|spiritual tumult
|in the tumult of her feelings
Synonyms
turmoil (Can describe both emotional and external confusion; "tumult" here focuses more on the emotional, often intense inner state.)
Antonyms
calm (Describes a peaceful, steady emotional state, which is the opposite of emotional tumult.)
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A feeling of very strong and mixed emotions that makes your mind or heart feel confused or not calm.
A state of strong, confused, or disturbed emotion within a person.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
3
zűrzavar
B2
felfordulás
B2
Usage pattern:
political/social tumult in [a place]
The new constitution was written during a period of great political tumult.
Az új alkotmány nagy politikai zűrzavar idején készült.
Amid the economic tumult of the decade, many families lost their homes.
Az évtized gazdasági zűrzavara közepette sok család elveszítette az otthonát.
The country has emerged from years of social tumult and violence.
Artists often produce powerful work in times of cultural tumult.
Learner examples
The nation was in political tumult after the election.
A választás után politikai zűrzavar uralkodott az országban.
Many people left the country during the years of tumult.
Sokan elhagyták az országot a zűrzavar éveiben.
In the tumult of war, normal life stopped.
They grew up in a time of social tumult and change.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "tumult" where a more neutral word like "change" or "problems" is enough. "Tumult" suggests serious and often violent disorder, not just normal change or mild difficulty.
Meaning
social or political upheaval and disorder
Collocations
political tumult
|social tumult
|years of tumult
|amid the tumult of war
|in the tumult of revolution
Synonyms
upheaval (Focuses more on major change; "tumult" stresses the confusion and disorder that come with it.)
Antonyms
stability (Describes a steady and orderly condition in society or politics, which contrasts with the disorder of tumult.)
Themes
politics
|society
|history
|law
Definition
A time when a country or group has a lot of trouble, change, and disorder, often in politics or society.
A period or condition of serious disorder, confusion, or upheaval in society or politics.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tumult
IPA
GB/tˈuməlt/
US/tˈuməlt/
Syllables & stress
tu - mult (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (tu)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tumult
- Plural: tumult, tumults
Word family
Forms
tumults
noun
Core family
tumultuous
adjective C1
Related words
tumultuously
adverb
Advanced or less common
tumultuousness
noun
Expressions
amid the tumult
1/əmˈɪd ðə tˈuməlt/
fixed phrase
literary
in the middle of noise and chaos
In the middle of loud noise and confused or wild activity.
Examples
- Amid the tumult, she kept her voice steady and calm.
- The small child stood crying amid the tumult of the fleeing crowd.
- Amid the tumult of the festival, we finally found a quiet side street.
inner tumult
1/ˈɪnɚ tˈuməlt/
fixed phrase
formal
strong confused feelings inside
Strong, mixed feelings inside a person that make them feel very troubled and not calm.
Examples
- Despite her inner tumult, she appeared relaxed to her friends.
- The novel describes the hero's inner tumult as he faces a hard choice.
- Meditation helped him quiet his inner tumult and think more clearly.