turbulence

Turbulence is instability, unsteadiness or disorder. (noun)

When air moves in an unstable manner that causes a plane to bounce around and give a bumpy ride to passengers, this is an example of turbulence.
When you experience a lot of ups and downs in your personal life, this is an example of a time of turbulence.

See turbulence in Webster's New World College Dictionary

See turbulence in American Heritage Dictionary 4

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