commotion
51 synonyms for commotion, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sudden burst of noisy confusion or disturbance.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
ado
argy-bargy
bangarang
bobbery
brouhaha
bunfight
bustle
bust-up
ferment
clamour
clatter
foofaraw
fracas
furor
hobbleshaw
hoo-ha
hoo-hah
hubbub
hullabaloo
hurly-burly
kerfuffle
merry hell
palaver
outcry
pandemonium
pother
rowdydow
ruckus
rumpus
shemozzle
shindy
splatterdash
stooshie
three-ring circus
to-do
tomfoolery
tumult
uproar
upstir
How to use commotion
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cause a commotion
a commotion broke out
amid the commotion
Etymology
From Latin commotio ("agitation, disturbance"), from commovere ("to stir up violently") — the same root as "commove" and "motion."
Full origin of commotion →Frequently asked questions
What does “commotion” mean?
The word “commotion” means a sudden burst of noisy confusion or disturbance. In plain terms, a noisy, chaotic fuss or disturbance.
How do you pronounce “commotion”?
“Commotion” is pronounced kuh-MOH-shuhn (/kəˈmoʊ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “commotion” in a sentence?
Here is “commotion” used in a sentence: “There was a commotion in the hallway as the fire alarm went off.”
What is another word for “commotion”?
Words with a similar meaning to “commotion” include ado, argy-bargy, bangarang, bobbery, brouhaha and bunfight.
What part of speech is “commotion”?
“Commotion” is a noun.
Where does the word “commotion” come from?
The word “commotion” comes from Latin. From Latin commotio ("agitation, disturbance"), from commovere ("to stir up violently") — the same root as "commove" and "motion.".
Is “commotion” a common word?
“Commotion” is an uncommon word in modern English.
