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 of riotous

• humorous
• comedic
• funny
• amusing
• comic
• comical
• 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

In March, the city erupts for Las Fallas, Valencia’s biggest festival, a riotous display of bonfires, fireworks, and parades honoring Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. —Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025

More than a hundred years before the French Revolution, his riotous, scathing satires dared to speak truth to some of the most absolute power in the world. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025

Em Nearly every dish at this marvellous East Village restaurant is a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, riotous with green herbs and vibrant pickles, but these sandwiches are unadorned, almost drab. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025

There’s a riotous guitar freakout. —Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 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