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
rioted; rioting; riots
rioter
noun
Synonyms
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
Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2024
Sign up All this follows a summer in which hate speech laws were repeatedly in the spotlight, following the heavy sentences handed out to people convicted of inciting violence online in relation to the Southport riots.
—The Week Uk, theweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024
When the shootings — and his subsequent, murderous live TV appearance as Joker — inspire lawless mobs in clown masks to riot against the rich, one such criminal shoots down Bruce’s parents outside of a movie theater, setting off Bruce’s own journey into becoming Batman.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for riot 
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Noun
The most recent time it was used was in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush after both city and state leaders asked for federal help to quell the L.A. riots.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2024
Sign up All this follows a summer in which hate speech laws were repeatedly in the spotlight, following the heavy sentences handed out to people convicted of inciting violence online in relation to the Southport riots.
—The Week Uk, theweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
During the last presidential race, unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud and abuse led Trump supporters to riot on Capitol Hill.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024
When the shootings — and his subsequent, murderous live TV appearance as Joker — inspire lawless mobs in clown masks to riot against the rich, one such criminal shoots down Bruce’s parents outside of a movie theater, setting off Bruce’s own journey into becoming Batman.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for riot
Dictionary Entries Near riot
Cite this Entry
“Riot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riot. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
riot
1 of 2 noun
ri·ot
ˈrī-ət 
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
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