commotion

noun

com·​mo·​tion kə-ˈmō-shən 

1

: a condition of civil unrest or insurrection

The commotion was finally brought to an end and peace was restored.

2

: steady or recurrent motion

the commotion of the surf

3

: mental excitement or confusion

… startled … into no ordinary state of commotion.

—Arnold Bennett

4

a

: an agitated disturbance : to-do

the commotion caused by the president's visit

b

: noisy confusion : agitation

The commotion backstage had brought the play to a stop.

Synonyms of commotion

• disturbance
• stir
• fuss
• turmoil
• hurry
• noise
• clatter
• storm
• fun

Examples of commotion in a Sentence

There was a sudden commotion when the actress entered the restaurant.

the commotion created when the nation's top rock band arrived in town

Recent Examples on the Web

Another trip to Uptown on May 20-21, 1977, causing police to shut Lawrence Avenue down in both directions due to such commotion outside the Aragon Ballroom entrance. — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Hassan was livid on the touchline and was seen making a cross gesture with his arms during all the commotion, a symbol introduced by FIFA for managers to alert the referees of a racist incident. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

In the commotion, Jun-hyeon manages to bonk heads with real-life K-pop star Ryujin of ITZY, who happens to be walking by with her team. — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 July 2026

With some flashing lights, this thing flying around in the sky would cause quite a commotion. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French commocion, from Latin commotion-, commotio, from commovēre — see commove

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for commotion

• demotion
• devotion
• emotion
• laotian
• promotion
• locomotion
• lotion
• notion
• ocean
• potion

Kids Definition

commotion

noun

com·​mo·​tion kə-ˈmō-shən 

1

: irregular or violent motion

2

: noisy excitement and confusion : tumult