turmoil
gb/tˈɚmˌɔɪl/ us/tˈɚmˌɔɪl/
B2
English
~ 9700
zűrzavar, felfordulás, lelki zűrzavar, belső vívódás
NOUN
B2
1
zűrzavar
B2
felfordulás
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is in turmoil; turmoil in [area]
The country was in political turmoil after the disputed election.
A vitatott választás után politikai zűrzavar alakult ki az országban.
The sudden resignation of the CEO threw the company into turmoil.
A vezérigazgató hirtelen lemondása zűrzavarba taszította a vállalatot.
Global markets fell amid growing economic turmoil.
The policy changes created turmoil within the education system.
Years of war have left the region in constant turmoil.
Learner examples
The office was in turmoil after many people lost their jobs.
Az irodában zűrzavar uralkodott, miután sokan elvesztették a munkájukat.
After the crisis, the city was in social turmoil.
A válság után társadalmi zűrzavar uralkodott a városban.
Bad news about the bank caused turmoil in the markets.
The new law put the whole industry in turmoil.
There was political turmoil before the new government was formed.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "turmoils" as a plural countable noun. In this sense, "turmoil" is usually uncountable: say "a period of turmoil" or "a lot of turmoil," not "many turmoils." Learners may also confuse it with "tumor" or other similar-looking words.
Meaning
state of great disorder
Collocations
political turmoil
|economic turmoil
|social turmoil
|market turmoil
|in turmoil
|throw into turmoil
Synonyms
chaos (Often suggests complete lack of order; slightly more informal and vivid than "turmoil.")
|
upheaval (Focuses on major, often sudden change or disruption, not just confusion.)
|
unrest (Common for political or social dissatisfaction, especially involving protests or violence.)
|
disorder (More general lack of order; less emotional or dramatic than "turmoil.")
Antonyms
stability (Emphasizes that things are steady and not changing in a confusing way.)
|
order (Highlights that things are organized and controlled, the opposite of confusion.)
|
calm (Suggests a quiet, peaceful situation without disturbance or confusion.)
Themes
society
|politics
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A time or situation when everything feels very confused and out of control, especially in a country, company, or group.
A state in which a situation, organization, or society is very confused, unstable, and disordered, often with many sudden changes or conflicts.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is in turmoil; [someone] feels inner turmoil
She tried to smile, but inside she was in turmoil.
Megpróbált mosolyogni, de belül teljes lelki zűrzavarban volt.
After the divorce, he experienced years of emotional turmoil.
A válás után évekig tartó lelki zűrzavart élt át.
The decision caused him great inner turmoil, as he did not want to hurt anyone.
Therapy helped her work through the mental turmoil she had carried since childhood.
His calm voice hid the turmoil he was feeling inside.
Learner examples
She could not sleep because of the turmoil in her mind.
Nem tudott aludni a benne dúló lelki zűrzavar miatt.
After he lost his job, he was in deep emotional turmoil.
Miután elvesztette a munkáját, mély lelki zűrzavarba került.
The news put him in turmoil, and he did not know what to do.
Meditation helped her find peace after months of inner turmoil.
Behind his happy face, there was a lot of turmoil.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "turmoil" for very mild feelings like simple stress or being a little worried. In this sense, "turmoil" is quite strong and suggests deep emotional or mental disturbance. Also, avoid using it as a verb (✗ "It turmoiled me"); use phrases like "It caused me turmoil" or "I was in turmoil."
Meaning
inner emotional or mental distress
Collocations
inner turmoil
|emotional turmoil
|mental turmoil
|personal turmoil
|spiritual turmoil
|psychological turmoil
Synonyms
inner conflict (Focuses on two opposing desires or beliefs inside a person, not always as chaotic as "turmoil.")
|
anguish (Stronger and more painful emotional suffering, often with sadness or grief.)
|
emotional upheaval (Highlights big, unsettling changes in feelings rather than ongoing confusion.)
|
distress (General emotional pain or worry; can be less intense or less chaotic than "turmoil.")
Antonyms
inner peace (Describes a calm, quiet mind with no troubling emotions or conflicts.)
|
calm (A relaxed and peaceful emotional state without strong disturbance.)
|
serenity (A deep, stable kind of calm, especially over a longer time.)
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A feeling of great emotional or mental stress and confusion inside a person.
A state of strong emotional or mental disturbance in which a person feels very confused, upset, or troubled inside.
Grammar
Dictionary form
turmoil
IPA
GB/tˈɚmˌɔɪl/
US/tˈɚmˌɔɪl/
Syllables & stress
tur - moil (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (tur)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: turmoil
- Plural: turmoil
Word family
Related words
turbulent
adjective C1
turbulence
noun B2
Expressions
in turmoil
1/ˈɪn tˈɚmˌɔɪl/
fixed phrase
being in a highly confused state
To be in a state where there is a lot of confusion, trouble, or emotional stress.
Examples
- The entire region is in turmoil after the sudden announcement.
- She looked calm, but inside she was in turmoil.
inner turmoil
1/ˈɪnɚ tˈɚmˌɔɪl/
fixed phrase
strong emotional conflict inside
A strong feeling of emotional or mental confusion and pain inside a person.
Examples
- He wrote about his inner turmoil in his diary.
- The novel explores the inner turmoil of a young woman trying to find her identity.
throw into turmoil
1/θɹˈoʊ ˈɪntu tˈɚmˌɔɪl/
fixed phrase
cause great confusion and disorder
To suddenly make a person, group, or situation very confused, unstable, or upset.
Examples
- The scandal threw the government into turmoil.
- The sudden change in leadership threw the company into turmoil.