riot

1 of 2

noun

ri·​ot ˈrī-ət 

1

a

: a violent public disorder

specifically : a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent

b

: public violence, tumult, or disorder

2

: a random or disorderly profusion

the woods were a riot of color

3

: one that is wildly amusing

the new comedy is a riot

4

archaic

a

: profligate behavior : debauchery

b

: unrestrained revelry

c

: noise, uproar, or disturbance made by revelers

riot

2 of 2

verb

rioted; rioting; riots

intransitive verb

1

: to create or engage in a riot

2

: to indulge in revelry or wantonness

rioter noun

Synonyms

Noun

• hoot
• scream
• laugh

Examples of riot in a Sentence

Noun

The news about the election caused a riot in the city.

A lot of property was damaged in the recent riots.

The woods are a riot of color in the autumn.

The movie was an absolute riot.

Verb

Students rioted after their team lost the football game.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Those orders and the larger case before the Supreme Court came after two years of investigations into Bolsonaro's role in an election-denying movement that culminated in riots by his supporters that rocked Brasilia in January 2023. —Ricardo Brito, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

Three inmates were also relocated to a different facility as a result of the riot, the state security ministry said. —Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Verb

In 2022, 31 members of a white-nationalist group were arrested in the city and charged with conspiring to riot during a Pride event. —Will Carless, USA Today, 6 July 2025

Multiple people were arrested in June after rioting outside an ICE facility in Portland, Oregon, Department of Homeland Security officials said. —Harriet Ramos july 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French riote rash action, noise, disorder

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing riot

• anti-riot
• pre-riot
• race riot
• read the riot act
• riot act
• riot grrrl
• riot gun
• run riot

Rhymes for riot

• diet
• guyot
• piet
• quiet
• disquiet
• panchayat
• unquiet

Kids Definition

riot

1 of 2 noun

ri·​ot ˈrī-ət 

1

: public violence, disturbance, or disorder

2

: a varied display of color

3

: something or someone very funny

riot

2 of 2 verb

: to create or take part in a riot

rioter noun

Legal Definition

riot

1 of 2 noun

ri·​ot

: a disturbance of the peace created by an assemblage of usually three or more people acting with a common purpose and in a violent and tumultuous manner to the terror of the public

also : the crime of rioting

riot

2 of 2 intransitive verb

: to create or engage in a riot

rioter noun