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

Despite all the commotion happening online, Jim Carrey’s rep confirmed to TMZ that the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind actor did attend the awards ceremony. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 2 Mar. 2026

Last June, Naomi Welikala noticed a line curving around the block of her local American Legion, an unassuming building that rarely invited commotion. —Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026

Subscribe to Stocks @ Night today and see what the commotion will be about tomorrow. —CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026

My husband heard the commotion and hollered at me for yelling at his sister. —Jeanne Phillips, Dallas Morning News, 22 Feb. 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