turbulent

Etymology

From Middle English turbulent, from Middle French turbulent, from Latin turbulentus, from turba (“disorder, tumult, crowd”).

adj

1. violently disturbed or agitated; tempestuous, tumultuous
   It is dangerous to sail in turbulent seas.
2. being in, or causing, disturbance or unrest
   The mid-19th century was a turbulent time in American history.
   The [Washington] Post's proprietor through those turbulent [Watergate] days, Katharine Graham, held a double place in Washington’s hierarchy: at once regal Georgetown hostess and scrappy newshound, ready to hold the establishment to account. That is a very American position. 2013-08-10, Lexington, “Keeping the mighty honest”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848