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

If a single song can't propel the right emotional forward motion, maybe a dozen will do so, in the form of a riotous medley. —Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025

Next to them were dozens of baskets of impatiens (shade-loving annuals) in riotous colors. —Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 7 July 2025

Those booming, rattling arenas, and those riotous little halls, are imaginary spaces. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025

Five people were arrested on suspicion of riotous behavior in Ballymena, 28 miles from the capital, Belfast, following one arrest there on Monday, police said on Wednesday. —Reuters, NBC news, 11 June 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