riot

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by a large group of people, often involving violence or damage to property.
2. (countable, figuratively, uncountable) A wide and unconstrained variety.
3. (colloquial, uncountable) A humorous or entertaining event or person.
4. (countable, uncountable) Wanton or unrestrained behavior or emotion.
5. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) Excessive and expensive feasting; wild and loose festivity; revelry.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To create or take part in a riot; to raise an uproar or sedition.
2. (intransitive, obsolete) To act in an unrestrained or wanton manner; to indulge in excess of feasting, luxury, etc.
3. (transitive) To cause to riot; to throw into a tumult.
4. (transitive) To annoy.

Synonyms

revolt

disturbance

insurrection

rebellion

disorder

uproar

turmoil

tumult

mutiny

uprising

trouble

affray

confusion

debauch

commotion

roister

rioting

drunken revelry

civil disturbance

insurgence

agitation

fight

strife

carouse

dissipate

row

rampage

sedition

public violence

bacchanalia

orgy

saturnalia

bacchanal

melee

violence

insurgency

fuss

debauchery

unrest

contest

scream

😱

scrimmage

ruction

scuffle

combat

belly laugh

rebel

rout

chaos

outbreak

Translations

Aufruhr

émeute

disturbio

rivolta

Aufstand

Tumult

getier

herrie

roerigheid

bagarre

rel

οχλαγωγία

Ausschreitung

révolte

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹaɪ.ət/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: riot

Cognate with French: riotte

Cognate with Occitan: riòta

In summary

From Middle English riot (“debauched living, dissipation”), from Old French riote (“debate”), from rioter (“to quarrel”), perhaps related to riboter or from Latin rugio (“I roar”).
Compare French riotte and Occitan riòta.