riot

[ rahy-uht ]

noun

1. a noisy, violent public disorder caused by a group or crowd of persons, as by a crowd protesting against another group, a government policy, etc., in the streets.

   Synonyms: melee, fray, brawl, outbreak

2. Law. a disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons acting together in a disrupting and tumultuous manner in carrying out their private purposes.
3. violent or wild disorder or confusion.

   Synonyms: disturbance, tumult, uproar

4. a brilliant display:

   a riot of color.

5. something or someone hilariously funny:

   You were a riot at the party.

6. unrestrained revelry.
7. an unbridled outbreak, as of emotions, passions, etc.
8. Archaic. loose, wanton living; profligacy.

verb (used without object)

1. to take part in a riot or disorderly public outbreak.

   Synonyms: fight, brawl

2. to live in a loose or wanton manner; indulge in unrestrained revelry:

   Many of the Roman emperors rioted notoriously.

   Synonyms: carouse

3. Hunting. (of a hound or pack) to pursue an animal other than the intended quarry.
4. to indulge unrestrainedly; run riot.

verb (used with object)

1. to spend (money, time, etc.) in riotous living (usually followed by away or out ).

riot

/ ˈraɪət /

noun

1. 1. a disturbance made by an unruly mob or (in law) three or more persons; tumult or uproar
   2. ( as modifier )

      a riot shield

      a riot gun

      riot police

2. boisterous activity; unrestrained revelry
3. an occasion of boisterous merriment
4. slang.
   a person who occasions boisterous merriment
5. a dazzling or arresting display

   a riot of colour

6. hunting the indiscriminate following of any scent by hounds
7. archaic.
   wanton lasciviousness
8. run riot
   1. to behave wildly and without restraint
   2. (of plants) to grow rankly or profusely

verb

1. intr to take part in a riot
2. intr to indulge in unrestrained revelry or merriment
3. trfoll byaway to spend (time or money) in wanton or loose living

   he has rioted away his life

Derived Forms

• ˈrioter, noun
• ˈrioting, noun

Other Words From

• riot·er noun
• anti·riot adjective noun
• counter·riot·er noun
• non·riot·er noun
• non·riot·ing adjective
• un·riot·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of riot¹

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English: debauchery, revel, violent disturbance < Old French riot ( e ) debate, dispute, quarrel, derivative of rihoter, riot ( t ) er to quarrel; (v.) Middle English rioten < Old French rihoter, riot ( t ) er

Word History and Origins

Origin of riot¹

C13: from Old French riote dispute, from ruihoter to quarrel, probably from ruir to make a commotion, from Latin rugīre to roar

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. run riot,
   1. to act without control or restraint:

      The neighbors let their children run riot.

   2. to grow luxuriantly or abundantly:

      Crab grass is running riot in our lawn.

More idioms and phrases containing riot

see read the riot act ; run amok (riot) .

Example Sentences

He was asked whether he would seek to pardon the hundreds of people convicted of involvement in the Capitol riot, when supporters of his stormed Congress three months after his defeat in the 2020 election.

From BBC

There was the tough sheriff during the summer riots intent on rapidly locking up offenders, who is now exploring shorter prison sentences for some wrongdoers.

From BBC

We know riots were involved because he insists they weren’t.

From Los Angeles Times

Other Democrats who, like Schiff, had a role in the Trump impeachment cases, or who investigated the 2021 US Capitol riots, could also be granted them.

From BBC

In the first month alone, there was a riot and an escape attempt, a supervisor was caught bringing a gun on the grounds, and staffers continued to refuse to report to work.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anarchy
• brawl
• disturbance
• lawlessness
• protest
• storm
• strife
• trouble
• turmoil
• uproar