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

As the gathering went on, González Gutiérrez heard, on top of the helicopter, loud voices and a general commotion outside. —Geraldo Cadava, New Yorker, 23 July 2025

All the commotion and brutality complicate an otherwise mundane task: visiting Mom for the weekend. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 17 July 2025

Cops patrolling the area saw the commotion and arrested Alcantara following the incident, sources said. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025

That can make the decision to seek emergency care more difficult, because patients often don't want to cause a commotion over what turns out to be something as simple as a case of heartburn after dinner. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 9 July 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