ruckus

noun

ruck·​us
ˈrə-kəs,
 also  ˈrü-,
or
ˈru̇- How to pronounce ruckus (audio)
plural ruckuses
1
: a noisy fight or disturbance : row, commotion
raise/cause/create a ruckus
heard a ruckus down the street
He went outside to see what all the ruckus was about.
The dogs … typically would set off quite a ruckus whenever they heard something in the woods …Larry Livermore
2
: a state or situation in which many people are angry or upset : fuss, uproar
… IHOP recently caused a social media ruckus after announcing it would change its name …Lauren Delgado
… the county's GOP is embroiled in a lively legal ruckus over an attempt to seize control of the party.Charles Burress

Examples of ruckus in a Sentence

the ruckus left one person with a sprained wrist quit creating such a ruckus—I'm trying to sleep!
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The earlier ruckus began after Braun fouled Harden with 6.6 seconds left in the second quarter, causing a lot of pushing and shoving. Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025 Given how tucked away and quiet the street is, coming and going from the space should cause as little ruckus as possible. William Goodman, Robb Report, 1 May 2025 Game 5 will take place on Tuesday in front of what will be a ruckus New York crowd, whether the series is tied or if the Knicks have a chance to close out the series. Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025 After a ruckus Tuesday night, the plastic was shattered in several hallway exit signs. Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ruckus

Word History

Etymology

probably blend of ruction and rumpus

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruckus was in 1885

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ruckus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruckus. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

ruckus

noun
ruck·​us ˈrək-əs How to pronounce ruckus (audio)
ˈrük-,
ˈru̇k-
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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