riot

1 of 2

noun

ri·​ot ˈrī-ət How to pronounce riot (audio)
Synonyms of riotnext
1
a
: a violent public disorder
specifically, law : a violent disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together that presents a danger of injury to a person or property
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.
Your friend is a riot.
4
archaic
a
: profligate behavior : debauchery
b
: unrestrained revelry
c
: noise, uproar, or disturbance made by revelers

riot

2 of 2

verb

rioted; rioting; riots

intransitive verb

1
: to create or engage in a riot
2
: to indulge in revelry or wantonness
rioter noun

Synonyms of riot

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of riot in a Sentence

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
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.
Noun
The Oath Keepers case unraveled this week, just as three former federal prosecutors who handled the riot cases appeared on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning. — Carrie Johnson, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026 Officer Jake Thompson of the mutual aid response team was on hand with the riot gear, ready to deploy it on the line of curious kids like Johnny Kahr, 5. — Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
People began rioting in Los Angeles’ predominantly Black Watts neighborhood after a crowd watched White policemen forcefully subdue a Black man. — USA Today, 28 July 2026 The internet literally rioted, saying a romance actor would ruin the franchise. — Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for riot

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French riote rash action, noise, disorder

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of riot was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing riot

Rhymes for riot

See All Rhymes for riot

Browse Nearby Words

Ríos
riot
riot act
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Riot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riot. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

riot

1 of 2 noun
ri·​ot ˈrī-ət How to pronounce riot (audio)
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.com: Encyclopedia article about riot

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