noun
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violent disturbance; upheaval
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political insurrection; disorder
-
a confused noise; din
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.
Last June, Naomi Welikala noticed a line curving around the block of her local American Legion, an unassuming building that rarely invited commotion.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026
During the April market commotion, a Central Huijin official told reporters that it has played a role in stabilizing markets since 2008 and mentioned the national team by name.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026
Denis Esquivel was asleep at his home near Maduro’s compound when commotion from his neighbors stirred him awake.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026
Mr Griffiths described how he had been in a cafe with his children and heard a "commotion outside" with "horns blowing, people shouting and screaming".
From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025
Before she could stop them, her brothers raced to the side of the road to see what was making such a commotion.
From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
