riot act

riot act

noun

Definition of RIOT ACT

: a vigorous reprimand or warning —used in the phrase read the riot act

Examples of RIOT ACT

1. <at a specially called meeting, he read the riot act to his staff for their poor handling of the crisis>

Origin of RIOT ACT

the Riot Act, English law of 1715 providing for the dispersal of riots upon command of legal authority

First Known Use: 1819

Related to RIOT ACT

Synonyms: commination, condemnation, denunciation, excoriation, objurgation, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reproof, censure, stricture

Antonyms: citation, commendation, endorsement (also indorsement)

Related Words: admonishment, admonition, castigation, chastisement, damnation, punishment, remonstrance; business, devil, dressing-down, lash, lecture, lesson, rap, scolding, talking-to, tongue-lashing; belittlement, criticism, deprecation, depreciation, disparagement, pan

Near Antonyms: acclamation, honor, tribute; encomium, eulogy, panegyric, plaudit(s), praise; approval, blessing, sanction

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Rhymes with RIOT ACT

abreact, artifact, cataract, chain-react, counteract, cross-react, eye contact, inexact, interact, overact, precontact, razor-backed, reenact, subcompact, subcontract, tesseract, underact, vacuum-packed, ventifact