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a
: a violent public disorder
specifically
: a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent
b
: public violence, tumult, or disorder
2
: a random or disorderly profusion
the woods were a riot of color
3
: one that is wildly amusing
the new comedy is a riot
4
archaic
a
: profligate behavior : debauchery
b
: unrestrained revelry
c
: noise, uproar, or disturbance made by revelers
rioted; rioting; riots
rioter
noun
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
The news about the election caused a riot in the city.
A lot of property was damaged in the recent riots.
The woods are a riot of color in the autumn.
The movie was an absolute riot.
Verb
Students rioted after their team lost the football game.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Jedeed, The New Republic, 6 Mar. 2023
The Justice Department has told a federal appeals court that a civil lawsuit brought against former president Donald Trump, alleging damages based on the Capitol riot, should be permitted to go forward.
—Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 3 Mar. 2023
Her blog swelled with a distinctive aesthetic, delineated by the radical DIY of ‘90s riot grrrl, the hazy girlhood of Sofia Coppola films and backyard outfit photos in tulle skirts and granny sweaters.
—Sophie Lou Wilson, refinery29.com, 2 Mar. 2023
Two Capitol Police officers, James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby, filed a lawsuit alleging Trump’s conduct incited the riot by urging his followers to try to overturn the election results.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2023
Cheney then voted in favor of Trump's second impeachment after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and served as vice chairwoman of the Jan. 6 select committee against the wishes of Republican leadership.
—Virginia Aabram, Washington Examiner, 1 Mar. 2023
While race relations in Detroit during this era were far from perfect, as evidenced by the 1943 Detroit riot, there still were viable options available to Black students seeking a quality high school education.
—Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2023
The longtime prosecutor was tasked with leading two separate inquiries: A probe into the January 6 riot and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, and an investigation into Trump’s handling of classified materials.
—Joe Walsh, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023
In a stroke of riot grrrl synergy, Le Tigre will also perform at the event alongside ESG, Gravy Train!!!!
—Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 22 Feb. 2023
Dallas News, 25 Jan. 2022
His successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has accused Mr. Bolsonaro of inspiring his supporters to riot in the capital on Sunday.
—Luciana Magalhaes, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2023
The suspects, who were affiliated with a white nationalist group, were booked on suspicion of conspiracy to riot.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2022
In June this year, 31 members of the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front were arrested in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event.
—Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2022
In June, 31 members of the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front were arrested in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event.
—CBS News, 20 Nov. 2022
In June, 31 members of the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front were arrested in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event.
—Thomas Peipert, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Nov. 2022
In June, 31 members of the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front were arrested in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 Nov. 2022
In June, 31 members of the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front were arrested in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event.
—BostonGlobe.com, 20 Nov. 2022
See More
Noun
Her manual for the new school of thought on the riot, January 6: How Democrats Used the Capitol Protest to Launch a War on Terror Against the Political Right, dropped in December 2021.
—Laura Jedeed, The New Republic, 6 Mar. 2023
The Justice Department has told a federal appeals court that a civil lawsuit brought against former president Donald Trump, alleging damages based on the Capitol riot, should be permitted to go forward.
—Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 3 Mar. 2023
Her blog swelled with a distinctive aesthetic, delineated by the radical DIY of ‘90s riot grrrl, the hazy girlhood of Sofia Coppola films and backyard outfit photos in tulle skirts and granny sweaters.
—Sophie Lou Wilson, refinery29.com, 2 Mar. 2023
Two Capitol Police officers, James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby, filed a lawsuit alleging Trump’s conduct incited the riot by urging his followers to try to overturn the election results.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2023
Cheney then voted in favor of Trump's second impeachment after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and served as vice chairwoman of the Jan. 6 select committee against the wishes of Republican leadership.
—Virginia Aabram, Washington Examiner, 1 Mar. 2023
While race relations in Detroit during this era were far from perfect, as evidenced by the 1943 Detroit riot, there still were viable options available to Black students seeking a quality high school education.
—Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2023
The longtime prosecutor was tasked with leading two separate inquiries: A probe into the January 6 riot and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, and an investigation into Trump’s handling of classified materials.
—Joe Walsh, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023
In a stroke of riot grrrl synergy, Le Tigre will also perform at the event alongside ESG, Gravy Train!!!!
—Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 22 Feb. 2023
Verb
The threats encouraging students to riot, for example, had school districts in Forney, Lewisville, Waco and elsewhere working to calm parents’ concerns.
—Dallas News, 25 Jan. 2022
His successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has accused Mr. Bolsonaro of inspiring his supporters to riot in the capital on Sunday.
—Luciana Magalhaes, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2023
The suspects, who were affiliated with a white nationalist group, were booked on suspicion of conspiracy to riot.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2022
In June this year, 31 members of the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front were arrested in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event.
—Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2022
In June, 31 members of the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front were arrested in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event.
—CBS News, 20 Nov. 2022
In June, 31 members of the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front were arrested in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event.
—Thomas Peipert, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Nov. 2022
In June, 31 members of the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front were arrested in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 Nov. 2022
In June, 31 members of the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front were arrested in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event.
—BostonGlobe.com, 20 Nov. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'riot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing riot
Articles Related to riot
Dictionary Entries Near riot
Cite this Entry
“Riot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riot. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
riot
1 of 2 noun
ri·ot
ˈrī-ət 
1
: public violence, disturbance, or disorder
2
: a varied display of color
3
: something or someone very funny
riot
2 of 2 verb
: to create or take part in a riot
rioter
noun
Legal Definition
riot
1 of 2 noun
ri·ot
: a disturbance of the peace created by an assemblage of usually three or more people acting with a common purpose and in a violent and tumultuous manner to the terror of the public
also
: the crime of rioting
riot
2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to create or engage in a riot
rioter
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on riot
Nglish: Translation of riot for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of riot for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about riot
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