as in condemnation
an often public or formal expression of disapproval
at a specially called meeting, he read the riot act to his staff for their poor handling of the crisis
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Recent Examples of riot act
During negotiations for a cease-fire, Steven Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, read Netanyahu the riot act, potentially pushing the deal over the line—even before Trump took office.
—
Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2025
In the late ’80s, for example, he was implicated (and read the riot act by a court for his actions) in the goring and critical injury of a fellow outdoorsman, an event that cost Peter at least one of his oldest friends in Africa.
—Chris Wallace, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024
Expert John reads him the riot act, and says that Timmy is either going to have to give Lucinda a smooch and lean into the affection — or the relationship is dunzo.
—Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 11 Feb. 2024
That includes the recent case of James Young, which the Daily News first reported last month, who wasn’t transferred to a medical facility for a highly contagious MRSA infection until Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Dora Irizarry read Bureau of Prisons lawyers and prosecutors the riot act.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2024
Linda spots her tree amidst the blinding lights and snatches the DJ's mic to read the crowd the riot act.
—EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023
Reading ‘em the riot act: In the Week 5 win over the Rams, DeMarcus Lawrence gathered all the defensive players together in the bench area after a bad series and delivered a fire-and-brimstone speech.
—Dallas News, 17 Oct. 2022
Reich is 4-4 against the Titans in his four seasons in Indianapolis, but the Colts have lost four of their last five against Mike Vrabel’s Titans, and after the first loss on the road last season, Irsay read his coaching staff the riot act.
—The Indianapolis Star, 2 Oct. 2022
Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2025
In the late ’80s, for example, he was implicated (and read the riot act by a court for his actions) in the goring and critical injury of a fellow outdoorsman, an event that cost Peter at least one of his oldest friends in Africa.
—Chris Wallace, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024
Expert John reads him the riot act, and says that Timmy is either going to have to give Lucinda a smooch and lean into the affection — or the relationship is dunzo.
—Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 11 Feb. 2024
That includes the recent case of James Young, which the Daily News first reported last month, who wasn’t transferred to a medical facility for a highly contagious MRSA infection until Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Dora Irizarry read Bureau of Prisons lawyers and prosecutors the riot act.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2024
Linda spots her tree amidst the blinding lights and snatches the DJ's mic to read the crowd the riot act.
—EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023
Reading ‘em the riot act: In the Week 5 win over the Rams, DeMarcus Lawrence gathered all the defensive players together in the bench area after a bad series and delivered a fire-and-brimstone speech.
—Dallas News, 17 Oct. 2022
Reich is 4-4 against the Titans in his four seasons in Indianapolis, but the Colts have lost four of their last five against Mike Vrabel’s Titans, and after the first loss on the road last season, Irsay read his coaching staff the riot act.
—The Indianapolis Star, 2 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riot act
Noun
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The shooting inflamed tensions a day after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, prompting protests and condemnation from state and city officials there.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Elon Musk’s xAI has restricted its AI chatbot Grok’s image generation capabilities to paying subscribers only, following widespread condemnation over its use to create non-consensual sexualized images of real women and children.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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His only discipline was an oral reprimand in 2025 after Chief Paul Humphrey found him at fault in a crash.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Jan. 2026
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Lenard saw people smiling, laughing, making small talk, and watching their kids enjoy themselves without criticism or reprimands.—
Lisa Hughes,
CBS News,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riot act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riot%20act. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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