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 of ruckus

• brawl
• altercation

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

As of Tuesday, no injuries were reported and no charges have been filed against any of the teens involved in the ruckus at Downtown Days, though two were temporarily detained. —Ilana Arougheti june 10, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026

The ruckus filled the 24-year-old halls of the Paycom Center and reverberated through its creaky corners. —Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 31 May 2026

Escape the ruckus at a beach club, or lido, such as Pettolecchia Il Lido, a luxury spot between Bari and Brindisi. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026

Nearly all of those kids causing a ruckus on our first floor this past winter were students at my school. —Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026

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

Rhymes for ruckus

• ficus
• picus

Kids Definition

ruckus

noun

ruck·​us ˈrək-əs 

ˈrük-, 

ˈru̇k-

: row entry 4