commotion

noun

com·​mo·​tion kə-ˈmō-shən 

1

: a condition of civil unrest or insurrection

The commotion was finally brought to an end and peace was restored.

2

: steady or recurrent motion

the commotion of the surf

3

: mental excitement or confusion

… startled … into no ordinary state of commotion.

—Arnold Bennett

4

a

: an agitated disturbance : to-do

the commotion caused by the president's visit

b

: noisy confusion : agitation

The commotion backstage had brought the play to a stop.

Synonyms

• disturbance
• stir
• fuss
• turmoil
• hurry
• noise
• clatter
• storm
• fun

Examples of commotion in a Sentence

There was a sudden commotion when the actress entered the restaurant.

the commotion created when the nation's top rock band arrived in town

Recent Examples on the Web

The commotion has come as a surprise to Cooke, who didn’t foresee her role as such a divisive one. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025

The child’s father had arrived home shortly before the incident occurred and heard a commotion in the bedroom, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KSAT. —Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025

All the commotion around them was stifling. —Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025

Ragan had gone out onto the field to see what the commotion was, but grew fearful for his life after an unprovoked attack by Booker, Welsh said. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French commocion, from Latin commotion-, commotio, from commovēre — see commove

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for commotion

• demotion
• devotion
• emotion
• laotian
• promotion
• locomotion
• lotion
• notion
• ocean
• potion

Kids Definition

commotion

noun

com·​mo·​tion kə-ˈmō-shən 

1

: irregular or violent motion

2

: noisy excitement and confusion : tumult