riot act
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.riot act
nounDefinition of RIOT ACT
: a vigorous reprimand or warning —used in the phrase read the riot act
See Examples of RIOT ACT
- <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)
Rhymes with RIOT ACT
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All Words Near: riot act
Previous Word in the Dictionary: riot (intransitive verb)
All Words Near: riot act
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