ruckus

noun

ruck·​us

ˈrə-kəs,

 also  ˈrü-,

or

ˈru̇- 

plural ruckuses

1

: a noisy fight or disturbance : row, commotion

raise/cause/create a ruckus

heard a ruckus down the street

He went outside to see what all the ruckus was about.

The dogs … typically would set off quite a ruckus whenever they heard something in the woods …

—Larry Livermore

2

: a state or situation in which many people are angry or upset : fuss, uproar

… IHOP recently caused a social media ruckus after announcing it would change its name …

—Lauren Delgado

… the county's GOP is embroiled in a lively legal ruckus over an attempt to seize control of the party.

—Charles Burress

Synonyms

• affray [chiefly British]
• brawl
• broil
• donnybrook
• fracas
• fray
• free-for-all
• melee
• mêlée
• rough-and-tumble
• row
• ruction

Examples of ruckus in a Sentence

the ruckus left one person with a sprained wrist

quit creating such a ruckus—I'm trying to sleep!

Recent Examples on the Web

During the ruckus, Blake is gashed by the beast, beginning his gradual transformation and degeneration into a Wolf Man. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025

Some fans say folk purists were booing because Dylan was playing electric, while others say the ruckus was merely over the distorted sound. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024

Beginning in 1998, The Challenge was originally an offshoot of the popular Road Rules series, which featured hot 22-year-olds causing a ruckus in an RV. —Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024

Smith, from Rogers Behavioral Health, recommends taking breaks from the ruckus if the conversations worsen or grows triggering. —Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably blend of ruction and rumpus

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ruckus

• raise a ruckus

Kids Definition

ruckus

noun

ruck·​us ˈrək-əs 

ˈrük-,

ˈru̇k-

: row entry 4