tempestuous

/temˈpestʃuəs/ (bre, ipa) · [tˌɛmpˈɛstʃuəs] /temˈpestʃuəs/ (ame, ipa) · [tˌɛmpˈɛstʃuəs] /tem-ˈpes-chə-wəs How to pronounce tempestuous (audio) -ˈpesh-/ (ame, mw)

tempestuous — adjective

  • tempestuouspositive
  • more tempestuouscomparative
  • most tempestuoussuperlative

1. marked by powerful feelings, repeated quarrels, and sharp ups and downs, especia

1.形容詞C2
釋義

marked by powerful feelings, repeated quarrels, and sharp ups and downs, especially in a relationship or a period of life.

例句

Gita and Cyrus had a tempestuous marriage that swung between devotion and bitter fights.

tempestuous + relationship noun

During Hao's tempestuous teens, he left home twice and returned each time.

tempestuous + life-period noun

同義詞
  • turbulent

    close in meaning, especially for unstable periods or relationships

  • volatile

    stresses sudden changes and quick emotional reactions

  • stormy

    common choice for relationships full of repeated arguments

  • fiery

    focuses more on hot temper than on long-term instability

反義詞
  • stable

    stresses lasting steadiness over time

  • calm

    focuses on the absence of strong emotion or conflict

文法句型

tempestuous + relationship noun

tempestuous + period/time noun

用法筆記

Most often modifies relationships, marriages, years, debates, or careers marked by strong feeling and repeated conflict. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 is figurative and emotional, not about actual storm conditions.

常見錯誤

❌We had a tempestuous cup of tea and talked quietly.
✅We had a tense conversation over tea.
💡'tempestuous' needs visible emotional conflict or instability, not a calm social moment.

2. caused by violent storm conditions or showing the wild force of a major storm.

2.形容詞C2
釋義

caused by violent storm conditions or showing the wild force of a major storm.

例句

The coast guard cancelled the crossing because a tempestuous sea was battering the harbor.

tempestuous + sea in formal writing

For three tempestuous nights, rain hammered the roof of Noa's mountain cabin.

tempestuous + night for storm conditions

同義詞
  • stormy

    the everyday word; less elevated than 'tempestuous'

  • turbulent

    often used for rough air or water as well as metaphorical disorder

  • rough

    more general and more common for water or weather

反義詞
  • calm

    describes weather or water without violent movement

  • settled

    often used when weather becomes steady again

文法句型

tempestuous + sea/weather noun

tempestuous + night/sky

用法筆記

Usually describes seas, weather, nights, or skies in elevated writing. Distinguish from sense 1: here the violence comes from real storm conditions, not human emotion or conflict.

常見錯誤

❌The classroom became tempestuous when the music got louder.
✅The classroom became chaotic when the music got louder.
💡sense 2 is for real storm force or weather-like violence, not any noisy indoor scene.