riot
- 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.
- 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.
- violent or wild disorder or confusion.
- a brilliant display: a riot of color.
- something or someone hilariously funny: You were a riot at the party.
- unrestrained revelry.
- an unbridled outbreak, as of emotions, passions, etc.
- Archaic. loose, wanton living; profligacy.
- to take part in a riot or disorderly public outbreak.
- to live in a loose or wanton manner; indulge in unrestrained revelry: Many of the Roman emperors rioted notoriously.
- Hunting. (of a hound or pack) to pursue an animal other than the intended quarry.
- to indulge unrestrainedly; run riot.
- to spend (money, time, etc.) in riotous living (usually followed by away or out).
- run riot,
- to act without control or restraint: The neighbors let their children run riot.
- to grow luxuriantly or abundantly: Crab grass is running riot in our lawn.
Origin of riot
Synonyms for riot
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for riot
turmoil, disturbance, brawl, strife, uproar, protest, storm, turbulence, lawlessness, trouble, anarchy, panic, rampage, burst, ruckus, scene, hassle, racket, free-for-all, flapExamples from the Web for riot
Contemporary Examples of riot
They made one last charge for the airport, and when the riot police blocked them again a melee ensued.
Riot police eventually converged from the flanks, hundreds at first, then hundreds more, with shields and batons.
The riot police advanced on the crowd and the crowd gave some ground but did not retreat.
A battalion of riot police armed with shotguns arrived on the scene.
Honoring The Late John Doar, A Nearly Forgotten Hero Of The Civil Rights EraGary May
November 15, 2014
When the vote was announced and people were informed that MPs had voted against gay equality, there was a riot.
Historical Examples of riot
The riot had now changed into open mutiny among these marshmen and miners.
Micah ClarkeArthur Conan Doyle
This man was Hugh; and in every part of the riot, he was seen.
Barnaby RudgeCharles Dickens
There was a riot in the streets; in one house the poison cup was ready.
Things as They AreAmy Wilson-Carmichael
I believe you'd raise a riot in the cemetry if you were dead, you would.
The Universal ReciterVarious
It were blasphemy to call this riot the desire for progress for the masses.
Blood and IronJohn Hubert Greusel
riot
- a disturbance made by an unruly mob or (in law) three or more persons; tumult or uproar
- (as modifier)a riot gun; riot police; a riot shield
- boisterous activity; unrestrained revelry
- an occasion of boisterous merriment
- slang a person who occasions boisterous merriment
- a dazzling or arresting displaya riot of colour
- hunting the indiscriminate following of any scent by hounds
- archaic wanton lasciviousness
- run riot
- to behave wildly and without restraint
- (of plants) to grow rankly or profusely
- (intr) to take part in a riot
- (intr) to indulge in unrestrained revelry or merriment
- (tr foll by away) to spend (time or money) in wanton or loose livinghe has rioted away his life
Word Origin for riot
Word Origin and History for riot
c.1200, "debauchery, extravagance, wanton living," from Old French riote (12c.) "dispute, quarrel, (tedious) talk, chattering, argument, domestic strife," also a euphemism for "sexual intercourse," of uncertain origin. Cf. Medieval Latin riota "quarrel, dispute, uproar, riot." Perhaps from Latin rugire "to roar." Meaning "public disturbance" is first recorded late 14c. Meaning "something spectacularly successful" first recorded 1909 in theater slang.
Run riot is first recorded 1520s, a metaphoric extension from Middle English meaning in reference to hounds following the wrong scent. The Riot Act, part of which must be read to a mob before active measures can be taken, was passed 1714 (1 Geo. I, st.2, c.5). Riot girl and alternative form riot grrl first recorded 1992.
Idioms and Phrases with riot
riot
see read the riot act; run amok (riot).