riot

1 of 3

noun (1)

ri·​ot ˈrī-ət 

1

a

: a violent public disorder

specifically, law : a violent disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together that presents a danger of injury to a person or property

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.

Your friend is a riot.

4

archaic

a

: profligate behavior : debauchery

b

: unrestrained revelry

c

: noise, uproar, or disturbance made by revelers

riot

2 of 3

verb

rioted; rioting; riots

intransitive verb

1

: to create or engage in a riot

2

: to indulge in revelry or wantonness

rioter noun

rioter

3 of 3

noun (2)

ri·​ot·​er

ˈrīətə(r), 

-ətə-

plural -s

: one that riots: such as

a

archaic : a profligate liver : reveler, roisterer

b

: one that creates or takes part in a disturbance, tumult, or riot

Synonyms of riot

Noun (1)

• hoot
• scream
• laugh

Examples of riot in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

As the destruction and chaos continued on the streets, the family of the victim of Monday's stabbing attack at the center of the riots pleaded for calmness and tolerance. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 11 June 2026

Federal authorities allege Kloth and Norman were part of a crowd gathered during what prosecutors described as a riot and civil disorder. —Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 11 June 2026

Verb

On April 2, the detainees began to riot after the facility shut off the phones for the day without any explanation, according to federal court records. —Miami Herald, 11 June 2026

In 2022, 31 members of the Patriot Front, a white nationalist group, were arrested for planning to riot at a Coeur d’Alene Pride parade. —Matan Josephy, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Middle English rioter, alteration of riotour, from rioten + -our -or

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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
• 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