turbulence
Chaotic fluid motion
Turbulence is irregular, chaotic motion in air or fluid, marked by eddies and unpredictable changes in pressure and velocity.
In aviation, turbulence causes aircraft to shake or drop: We hit some turbulence over the Rockies.
The word extends to any state of disorder or instability: political turbulence, emotional turbulence, the turbulence of adolescence.
Violent weather with lightning
- galeSevere sustained wind
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
updraft · downdraft · windshear · convection · cumulonimbus · jetstream · crosswind · microburst
State of public disturbance
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- disorderAbsence of organization
- commotionNoisy, confused disturbance
- fermentMicrobial chemical breakdown
tumult · riot · strife · agitation · disruption · instability · protest · conflict
Circular counter-current
- vortexRotating fluid column
- laminarArranged in thin layers
- ReynoldsSurname or foil brand
- viscosityFluid's flow resistance
drag · boundary · wake · streamlines · Bernoulli · shear · dissipation · flow
Violent disturbance or confusion
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
- innerSituated further in
- psychologicalOf the mind
anxiety · unrest · agitation · disquiet · tumult · storm · chaos · confusion
Rapid, unpredictable changeability
- fluctuationIrregular change over time
- instabilityTendency toward unpredictable change
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- downturnEconomic decline period
crash · correction · selloff · panic · swing · disruption · shock · crisis
thunderstorm
Violent weather with lightning
cyclone · updraft · downdraft · windshear · convection · cumulonimbus · jetstream · crosswind · microburst · thermal
unrest
State of public disturbance
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- disorderAbsence of organization
- commotionNoisy, confused disturbance
ferment · tumult · riot · strife · agitation · disruption · instability · protest · conflict · chaos
eddy
Circular counter-current
viscosity · drag · boundary · wake · streamlines · Bernoulli · shear · dissipation · flow · kinetic
turmoil
Violent disturbance or confusion
psychological · anxiety · unrest · agitation · disquiet · tumult · storm · chaos · confusion · uncertainty
volatility
Rapid, unpredictable changeability
- fluctuationIrregular change over time
- instabilityTendency toward unpredictable change
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
downturn · crash · correction · selloff · panic · swing · disruption · shock · crisis · recession
flight
Aerial journey by aircraft
altitude · cabin · cruising · pilot · chop · fasten · announcement · descent · aircraft · bumpiness
- Air Travelboarding, airline, flight attendants, takeoff, landing
- flightsdeparture, arrival, nonstop flight, boarding, connecting flight
- airplane termsflying, airborne, aloft, midair, soaring
- instabilityinstability, unsteadiness, shakiness, wobbliness, precariousness
- travel discomfortmotion sickness, airsickness, carsickness, seasickness, jet lag
- travel hasslesdelays, lost luggage, cancellations, missed flights, long lines
turbulencecalm
Free from agitation
tranquility · peace · stability · stillness · smooth sailing
- severe turbulenceIntense, dangerous mid-flight shaking
- turbulent flowIrregular, swirling fluid dynamics
- atmospheric turbulenceChaotic air movement