riot

1 of 2

noun

ri·​ot ˈrī-ət How to pronounce riot (audio)
1
a
: a violent public disorder
specifically : a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent
b
: public violence, tumult, or disorder
2
: a random or disorderly profusion
the woods were a riot of color
3
: one that is wildly amusing
the new comedy is a riot
4
archaic
a
: profligate behavior : debauchery
b
: unrestrained revelry
c
: noise, uproar, or disturbance made by revelers

riot

2 of 2

verb

rioted; rioting; riots

intransitive verb

1
: to create or engage in a riot
2
: to indulge in revelry or wantonness
rioter noun

Examples of riot in a Sentence

Noun The news about the election caused a riot in the city. A lot of property was damaged in the recent riots. The woods are a riot of color in the autumn. The movie was an absolute riot. Verb Students rioted after their team lost the football game.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The watchdog report showed that there were no undercover FBI employees at the riot, but there were FBI informants, people outside the bureau who give critical information to agents and are sometimes compensated for their information and expenses, at the scene. Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024 Dramatic scenes from that night showed security forces breaking through windows in the National Assembly to try and prevent lawmakers from gathering, and protesters confronting riot police. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
Bolsonaro’s supporters rejected the results and rioted in the capital Brasilia, storming government buildings on January 8, 2023. Tara John, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024 The Department of Defense did not issue a directive last month giving US soldiers unprecedented authority to use lethal force against Trump supporters who riot if the former president loses next week. David Gilbert, WIRED, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for riot 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French riote rash action, noise, disorder

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of riot was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near riot

Cite this Entry

“Riot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riot. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

riot

1 of 2 noun
ri·​ot ˈrī-ət How to pronounce riot (audio)
1
: public violence, disturbance, or disorder
2
: a varied display of color
3
: something or someone very funny

riot

2 of 2 verb
: to create or take part in a riot
rioter noun

Legal Definition

riot

1 of 2 noun
ri·​ot
: a disturbance of the peace created by an assemblage of usually three or more people acting with a common purpose and in a violent and tumultuous manner to the terror of the public
also : the crime of rioting

riot

2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to create or engage in a riot
rioter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on riot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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