riot

American  

[rahy-uht] / ˈraɪ ət /

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.

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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 orout ).

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.

riot British  

/ 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 gun

      riot police

      a riot shield

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. 1. to behave wildly and without restraint

   2. (of plants) to grow rankly or profusely

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verb

1. (intr) to take part in a riot

2. (intr) to indulge in unrestrained revelry or merriment

3. to spend (time or money) in wanton or loose living

   he has rioted away his life

riot More Idioms  

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

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Usage

What does riot mean? A riot is a situation in which people in a crowd are engaging in violence and/or destruction in the streets or another public space. Riots often involve two or more groups fighting, or one group causing destruction. Riot can also be used as a verb meaning to participate in a riot. Members of the crowd who do this can be called rioters. The word rioting can be used as both a verb and a noun. Violent protests are sometimes called riots. But the term riot is often extremely loaded and used in a way that’s intended to be dismissive of protests and portray protesters as lawless, destructive, or violent. Specifically, the term has been frequently used to portray African American protesters in this way, such as during mass demonstrations. For example, one may try to discredit a protest by calling it a riot or to discredit protesters by calling them rioters. This especially happens when people conflate a protest with other things happening around it, such as looting. The word riot is also used in a much different way to refer to something very funny, especially in the phrase laugh riot. The term implies that it results in intense, unrestrained laughter. Example: The riot outside the stadium left dozens of people injured, along with widespread damage to cars in the parking lot.

Other Word Forms

• antiriot adjective
• counterrioter noun
• nonrioter noun
• nonrioting adjective
• rioter noun
• rioting noun
• unrioting adjective

Etymology

Origin of riot

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

Explanation

A riot is a violent outburst by a crowd. When the principal didn't declare a snow day, even with five inches on the ground already, students rioted, gathering outside and throwing snowballs. The meaning of riot has stretched over the years. You would say "She is a riot" about a funny or outrageous person. A loud clothing combination might represent a riot of texture and color. When something runs riot, it has been allowed to get out of control.

Example Sentences

There’s great footage of her reading the riot act to a man in one audience.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

A phalanx of guards with full armor and riot shields watched over proceedings.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Farmer Tom believed the peacock was asserting his dominance and despite the bird running riot on his land, he was able to capture it and get it safely in a pen.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Several protesters confronted law enforcement officers, who wore riot gear, before moving back to the sidewalk in front of the detention center.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

As a matter of fact, he wasn’t even in the riot; he had no weapons, confronted nobody on the street.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

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