Synonyms

commotion

American

[kuh-moh-shuhn] / kəˈmoʊ ʃən /

noun

violent or tumultuous motion; agitation; noisy disturbance.

What's all the commotion in the hallway?

Synonyms:

bustle, turbulence, riot, tumult, turmoil, disorder
political or social disturbance or upheaval; sedition; insurrection.

commotion British

/ kəˈməʊʃən /

noun

violent disturbance; upheaval
political insurrection; disorder
a confused noise; din

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

commotion Idioms

see cause a commotion.

Related Words

See ado.

Other Word Forms

commotional adjective
commotive adjective

Etymology

Origin of commotion

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin commōtiōn-, stem of commōtiō, from commōt(us) “disturbed” (past participle of commovēre “to displace, disturb,” literally, “to move together”; commove ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He had never caused such a commotion before, not even the night last week when his ear ached and he cried for a whole hour.

From Literature

The commotion attracted Grief, who ran into the room to see what all the excitement was about.

From Literature

“I heard … a commotion outside and I got nervous,” Anya said.

From Los Angeles Times

He was woken by a commotion from the nests closest to him.

From Literature

Carr glared at Mal, all thin lips and flared nostrils, but before he could say anything, there was a commotion to their left.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023