1
as in humorous
causing or intended to cause laughter
his riotous mugging always has everyone in hysterics
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lavish
pouring forth in great amounts
a painting by that artist is usually a riotous display of color
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riotous
This was a riotous, thrilling way to bring the curtain down on a five-and-a-half week spell which could come to define their entire season come May.
—
Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Guns is an actor and writer, known for her razor-sharp observations and riotous voice.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for riotous
Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Guns is an actor and writer, known for her razor-sharp observations and riotous voice.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for riotous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riotous
Adjective
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That’s what happens with Netflix’s saucy eight-part adaptation of Julia May Jonas’ spicy novel, a sly one that’s intent on elbowing academia in a humorous way.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
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Its décor reflects the restaurant’s personality — casual, humorous and rooted in local culture.—
Susan Stapleton,
Des Moines Register,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Sumptuous grays and neutrals in the lavish rooms create a seamless quality from door to sea, and subtle Asian details delight.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
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Most take it in stride, or consider the situation at Indian Wells a fair tradeoff for the otherwise gorgeous backdrop of mountains, picturesque sunsets and lavish facilities.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The role demands charisma, vocal chops, and sharp comedic timing, all deployed within one of the most cynical satires in the musical theater canon.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
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The brand previously had a decade-long run at Fort Lauderdale’s Beach Place before closing in 2009, throwing lively dueling-piano shows fueled by tips, alcohol, bawdy jokes and comedic crosstalk that sometimes embarrassed customers.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Sahil was initially charged with DUI causing injury and vehicular manslaughter, along with enhancements for causing great bodily injury, having an excessive blood-alcohol content and circumstances in aggravation.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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But the Police Department says an internal affairs investigation determined the claims of excessive force were unfounded.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For most of the evening, the mood is darkly funny and a little ominous, as the siblings take undermining jabs and the in-laws roll their eyes.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Would that kind of thing have seemed funny at the time, or maybe a clever way to avoid a topic either too personal or too fraught for out-group consumption?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The major risk here is a prolonged closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz, which is virtually the only way to ship the Middle East’s copious oil and natural gas to the rest of the world.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
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In quiet times, families in colorful costumes throng downtown stretches, children eat copious amounts of traditional triangle cookies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The singer co-directed the amusing and saucy video with Hannah Lux Davis; watch it below.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
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But the snakes also cause amusing distractions, as when python Fizzy periscopes up to get a better view of the class, and the class stops to observe him.—
Deena Prichep,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Salvias are adored for their abundant blooms which attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
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The jampong was abundant with calamari, octopus and mussels, if a little overboiled for my tastes.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riotous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riotous. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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