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

Kernodle put up a fight, and the commotion got the attention of surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025

There were two other roommates in the home at the time of the killings that both survived and reported seeing the suspect and hearing commotion that night. —Gabe Whisnant hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

Midway through the call, there's some commotion in the background, and a man can be heard telling the nurse to cancel the call. —Dhruv Mehrotra, Wired News, 25 June 2025

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

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