riotous

adjective

ri·​ot·​ous ˈrī-ə-təs 

1

a

: of the nature of a riot : turbulent

b

: participating in riot

2

: abundant, exuberant

the garden was riotous with flowers

riotously adverb

riotousness noun

Synonyms

• humorous
• comedic
• funny
• amusing
• comic
• comical
• hysteric
• hysterical
• ridiculous
• entertaining

Examples of riotous in a Sentence

a riotous profusion of flowers

his riotous mugging always has everyone in hysterics

Recent Examples on the Web

For the finale, the street went dark, and the UBS Arena in Elmont, near New York City, was lit up with teal strobe lights like a riotous party. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2025

As seen in this riotous new trailer, the sequel picks up where the original series left off. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2025

Nettie Jones’ Fish Tales, recently reissued from FSG, is riotous, bawdy, horny, alarming, funny, gross, and frank. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025

Recalling the deconstructed handmade animations of Robert Breer, Peter Larsson’s film pits riotous, jagged formalism against a haphazard soundtrack of bloops and pings and ramshackle percussion. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for riotous

• quietus

Kids Definition

riotous

adjective

ri·​ot·​ous ˈrī-ət-əs 

1

a

: of the nature of a riot

b

: taking part in rioting

2

: abundant

a garden riotous with flowers

riotously adverb

Legal Definition

riotous

adjective

ri·​ot·​ous ˈrī-ə-təs 

1

: of the nature of a riot

riotous conduct

2

: participating in a riot

a riotous assemblage