riot
24 synonyms and 2 antonyms for riot, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A violent public disturbance caused by a crowd.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A violent public disturbance caused by a crowd.
“Extra officers stood outside the stadium to prevent a riot.”
uproar
tumult
commotion
rampage
insurrection
melee
anarchy
breach of the peace
chaos
discord
trouble
disorder
disorderliness
disturbance
instability
lawlessness
mayhem
rioting
rowdiness
strife
turbulence
upheaval
Opposites
2. verb
To take part in a violent public disturbance.
“The newspaper warned that unhappy fans might riot after the match.”
roister
carouse
How to use riot
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
riot police
break out into a riot
a riot of color
Etymology
From Old French riote, "a dispute or quarrel," ultimately linked to the verb rioter, "to quarrel."
Full origin of riot →Frequently asked questions
What does “riot” mean?
The word “riot” means a violent public disturbance caused by a crowd. In plain terms, a violent crowd disturbance, or informally, something extremely funny.
How do you pronounce “riot”?
“Riot” is pronounced REYE-uht (/ˈɹaɪ.ət/ in IPA).
How do you use “riot” in a sentence?
Here is “riot” used in a sentence: “A riot broke out after the controversial verdict.”
What is another word for “riot”?
Words with a similar meaning to “riot” include anarchy, breach of the peace, chaos, discord, trouble and disorder.
What part of speech is “riot”?
Depending on how it is used, “riot” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “riot” come from?
The word “riot” comes from Old French. From Old French riote, "a dispute or quarrel," ultimately linked to the verb rioter, "to quarrel.".
Is “riot” a common word?
“Riot” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “riot” have?
“Riot” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a violent public disturbance caused by a crowd.
What is the difference between a riot and a protest?
A protest is a public expression of objection and can be entirely peaceful and lawful. A riot is a violent public disturbance caused by a crowd, typically involving destruction or fighting. A protest can turn into a riot, but the two words are not interchangeable.
