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 of commotion

• 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

After grounding out to first base in the bottom of the eighth inning, Duran made his way back to the dugout when commotion occurred. — Greg Dudek, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026

Why is there still so much commotion up in Rhode Island? — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026

But the true source of all the commotion was out of this world—literally. — Govert Schilling, Scientific American, 27 June 2026

Then about a week later, the son responded to a commotion outside their home and found Spencer hitting his mother in the head with a brick, according to officials. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 25 June 2026

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