ruckus

noun

ruck·​us

ˈrə-kəs,

 also  ˈrü-,

or

ˈru̇- 

plural ruckuses

1

: a noisy fight or disturbance : row, commotion

raise/cause/create a ruckus

heard a ruckus down the street

He went outside to see what all the ruckus was about.

The dogs … typically would set off quite a ruckus whenever they heard something in the woods …

—Larry Livermore

2

: a state or situation in which many people are angry or upset : fuss, uproar

… IHOP recently caused a social media ruckus after announcing it would change its name …

—Lauren Delgado

… the county's GOP is embroiled in a lively legal ruckus over an attempt to seize control of the party.

—Charles Burress

Synonyms

• affray [chiefly British]
• brawl
• broil
• donnybrook
• fracas
• fray
• free-for-all
• melee
• mêlée
• rough-and-tumble
• row
• ruction

Examples of ruckus in a Sentence

the ruckus left one person with a sprained wrist

quit creating such a ruckus—I'm trying to sleep!

Recent Examples on the Web

Hann downplayed the ruckus in Otter Tail County, saying the intraparty conflict pitting anti-establishment conservatives against traditionalists has been going on for the last five or six years and is unique to the party’s structure statewide. —Mark Wasson, Twin Cities, 17 May 2024

The showstopping sequence in front of a ruckus crowd is also presented in black and white, not just as a stylistic choice, but a narrative one, as Giedi Prime is lit by a black sun, affecting the psyche of its inhabitants. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably blend of ruction and rumpus

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ruckus

• raise a ruckus

Kids Definition

ruckus

noun

ruck·​us ˈrək-əs 

ˈrük-,

ˈru̇k-

: row entry 4