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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use riot in a sentence
They pivoted from being a place that only served a small populace to saying, “We are part of this community, this city of Newark that has been beat up through riots.”
Her social media feeds are showing “boarded-up hotels and businesses” in major cities like Houston, which is Pearland’s neighbor, in anticipation of riots and related outbursts.
When all the riots started, there was one thing that really stuck out with me.
We are met by riot gear, shotguns and AK-47s, Africa’s weapon of choice.
She wished me a happy birthday and read me the riot act regarding my behavior if I was going to stay home alone all day.
That it would have been impossible to secure a verdict in the province against a rioter can scarcely be doubted.
The Political History of England - Vol. X. | William HuntThe fact that the Countess was the rioter had worked in a way to cause people to seek secluded and darkened nooks.
The O'Ruddy | Stephen CraneThen the sound of returning horse's feet, and Rioter rushed up the side drive to the stables riderless.
Under the Mendips | Emma MarshallBut from somewhere in the darkness, one rioter brought a sack of flour, while another flung down a tin case of petroleum.
Dragon's blood | Henry Milner RideoutDrawn up and given an orderly disposition, as a rioter hanged to a lamppost.
The Devil's Dictionary | Ambrose Bierce
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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