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
But this wasn’t the guy who struggled earlier this season to the point that Cronin had to read him the riot act, as he has been known to do.
—
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
In a speech at NATO headquarters in February, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth read the riot act to European allies and Canada.
—Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
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
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
In a speech at NATO headquarters in February, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth read the riot act to European allies and Canada.
—Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riot act
Noun
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International law experts say targeting civilians violates armed conflict regulations, drawing condemnation from the UN and human rights groups.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Sunni imams issued fatwas, legal condemnations by Islamic religious leaders, against us infidels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The watchdog agency’s panel recommended Friday that the costs of the proceedings be taxed against Peffer, in addition to the 30-day suspension, public reprimand and fine.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
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If the justices uphold the public reprimand, which is the harshest sanction available, Givens would not be allowed to serve as a visiting judge.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riot act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riot%20act. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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