riotous

[rahy-uh-tuhs]

adjective

1. (of an act) characterized by or of the nature of rioting or a disturbance of the peace.

2. (of a person) inciting or taking part in a riot.

3. given to or marked by unrestrained revelry; loose; wanton.

   riotous living.

4. boisterous or uproarious.

   riotous laughter.

5. hilariously funny.

riotous

/ ˈraɪətəs /

adjective

1. proceeding from or of the nature of riots or rioting

2. inciting to riot

3. characterized by wanton or lascivious revelry

   riotous living

4. characterized by boisterous or unrestrained merriment

   riotous laughter

Other Word Forms

• riotously adverb
• riotousness noun
• unriotous adjective
• unriotously adverb
• unriotousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of riotous¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; riot, -ous

Example Sentences

Parrish told ProPublica she had collected evidence that “shows ongoing and persistent activity” outside the facility that under statute and police directive “would be considered riotous, unlawful assembly and/or disorderly conduct.”

Read more on Salon

To attendees, it is a riotous holiday event.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In less than three hours, Dr. Halloween and his crew of eight will transform the broad front yard of this Fillmore Street home into a riotous Halloween fun house.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hamilton was right: “The people” can be riotous and unruly, in the process threatening to subvert core institutions of a republic ruled by law.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Guardian's Searle wrote about the drawings: "They are riotous and rhythmic, purposeful and compelling. There's no fudging. Kalu deserves to win this year's Turner Prize."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• anarchic 
• disorganized 
• rowdy 
• tumultuous 
• turbulent 
• unruly