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).
Idioms about riot
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
1Other words for riot
Other words from riot
- ri·ot·er, noun
- an·ti·ri·ot, adjective, noun
- coun·ter·ri·ot·er, noun
- non·ri·ot·er, noun
- non·ri·ot·ing, adjective
- un·ri·ot·ing, adjective
Words Nearby riot
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use riot in a sentence
They made one last charge for the airport, and when the riot police blocked them again a melee ensued.
Mexican Protesters Look to Start a New Revolution | Jason McGahan | November 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd this is the prevailing attitude that white St. Louis fears the most: an all out riot, anarchy, lawlessness, disorder.
riot police eventually converged from the flanks, hundreds at first, then hundreds more, with shields and batons.
Mexican Protesters Look to Start a New Revolution | Jason McGahan | November 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe riot police advanced on the crowd and the crowd gave some ground but did not retreat.
Mexican Protesters Look to Start a New Revolution | Jason McGahan | November 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA battalion of riot police armed with shotguns arrived on the scene.
Honoring The Late John Doar, A Nearly Forgotten Hero Of The Civil Rights Era | Gary May | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The exertions of the city authorities, who had notice of the meditated riot, were unable to prevent or quell it.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellMonsieur de Tressan was here, as ill-luck would have it, and Gaubert implored him to send soldiers thither to quell the riot.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniA special assistant of the United States marshal was killed, but the object of the riot was not effected.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellSeven months later Captain Preston and other soldiers implicated in the riot were tried before a Boston jury.
The Eve of the Revolution | Carl BeckerThe Italian ecclesiastic Gavazzi, lectured at Quebec, and gave rise to a riot.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
British Dictionary definitions for riot
/ (ˈraɪət) /
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 display: a 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 living: he has rioted away his life
Origin of riot
1Derived forms of riot
- rioter, noun
- rioting, noun
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with riot
see read the riot act; run amok (riot).
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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