tumultuous

Adjective

tumultuous (comparative more tumultuous, superlative most tumultuous)

1. Characterized by loud, confused noise.
   • Rage with Iambicks, arm'd Archilocus / Numbers for Dialogue and Action fit, / And Favourites of the Dramatick Muſe. / Fierce, Lofty, Rapid, whoſe commanding Sound / Awes the tumultuous Noiſes of the Pit, / And whoſe peculiar Province is the Stage.1709, Horace, translated by [Wentworth Dillon, 4th] Earl of Roscommon, Horace: Of the Art of Poetry: A Poem, London: Printed and sold by H[enry] Hills, […], →OCLC, page 5
   • The noise in this room was perfectly tumultuous, for there were more children there, than Scrooge in his agitated state of mind could count; and, unlike the celebrated herd in the poem, they were not forty children conducting themselves like one, but every child was conducting itself like forty.1843 December 19, Charles Dickens, “Stave Two. The First of the Three Spirits.”, in A Christmas Carol. […], London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, page 68

   Synonyms:

   noisy, uproarious, blaring, blasting, booming, cacophonous, clangorous, clamorous, clattering, deafening

2. Causing or characterized by tumult; chaotic, disorderly, turbulent.
   • Yet not rejoycing in his [Satan's] ſpeed, though bold, / Far off and fearleſs, nor with cauſe to boaſt, / Begins his dire attempt, with nigh the birth / Now rowling, boiles in his tumultuous breſt, / And like a devilliſh Engine back recoiles, / Upon himſelf; […]1667, John Milton, “Book IV”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
   • And ſeeing theſe Tumultuous and Rebellious Men do more immediately vent their Malice on ſome of their Fellow-Subjects and Fellow-Protestants, who will be true to their Oaths, and their Obligations to the King, whom God has placed over them, may not one humbly ask, As for theſe Sheep, what have they...1715 July 24, Samuel Rosewell, The Unreasonableness of the Present Riotous and Tumultuous Proceedings: As are Directed against His Majesty King George; and His Faithful Subjects, the Protestant...

   Synonyms:

   riotous, tempestuous, tumultuary, chaotic, cluttered, disorderly, messy, ree-raw, sluttish, turbulent