a noisy, violent public disorder caused by a group or crowd of persons, as by a crowd protesting against another group, a government policy, etc., in the streets.
Law. a disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons acting together in a disrupting and tumultuous manner in carrying out their private purposes.
violent or wild disorder or confusion.
a brilliant display: a riot of color.
something or someone hilariously funny: You were a riot at the party.
unrestrained revelry.
an unbridled outbreak, as of emotions, passions, etc.
Archaic. loose, wanton living; profligacy.
verb (used without object)
to take part in a riot or disorderly public outbreak.
to live in a loose or wanton manner; indulge in unrestrained revelry: Many of the Roman emperors rioted notoriously.
Hunting. (of a hound or pack) to pursue an animal other than the intended quarry.
to indulge unrestrainedly; run riot.
verb (used with object)
to spend (money, time, etc.) in riotous living (usually followed by away or out).
Idioms for riot
run riot,
to act without control or restraint: The neighbors let their children run riot.
to grow luxuriantly or abundantly: Crab grass is running riot in our lawn.
Origin of riot
1175–1225; (noun) Middle English: debauchery, revel, violent disturbance <Old French riot(e) debate, dispute, quarrel, derivative of rihoter, riot(t)er to quarrel; (v.) Middle English rioten<Old French rihoter, riot(t)er
The vice president then segued to attacking the riots and violence that broke out in some cities amid otherwise peaceful protests against racial injustice.
Vice presidential debate: Highlights and fact-checks|Colby Itkowitz, Anne Gearan, Matt Viser, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|October 8, 2020|Washington Post
So when they both read him the riot act in this episode, and then Emily follows it up with the world’s most chilling, “Go home, Christopher,” it’s immensely satisfying.
Every episode of Gilmore Girls, ranked|Constance Grady|October 6, 2020|Vox
It predicted the imminent arrest of Hillary Clinton and warned of “massive riots.”
As QAnon grew, Facebook and Twitter missed years of warning signs about the conspiracy theory’s violent nature|Craig Timberg, Elizabeth Dwoskin|October 1, 2020|Washington Post
They made one last charge for the airport, and when the riot police blocked them again a melee ensued.
Mexican Protesters Look to Start a New Revolution|Jason McGahan|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Riot police eventually converged from the flanks, hundreds at first, then hundreds more, with shields and batons.
Mexican Protesters Look to Start a New Revolution|Jason McGahan|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The riot police advanced on the crowd and the crowd gave some ground but did not retreat.
Mexican Protesters Look to Start a New Revolution|Jason McGahan|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A battalion of riot police armed with shotguns arrived on the scene.
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On some days there have been more police water-cannon trucks and riot shields on show than tanks.
When ISIS Is An Excuse For A Police State|Jamie Dettmer|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At this time there was a bad feeling among the prisoners, and they daily expected a riot.
Travels Through North America, v. 1-2|Berhard Saxe-Weimar Eisenach
The death of Amber was as nothing to the death of Chitor—a body whence the life had been driven by riot and the sword.
From Sea to Sea|Rudyard Kipling
Rose vines, clambering at will over the picturesque old dwelling, were a riot of colors.
Sisters|Grace May North
Meanwhile round the hall of the diet a riot had broken out; the soldiers intervened and blood was shed.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1|Various
On this memorable day of the riot his arms were not folded on his chest.
Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard|Joseph Conrad
British Dictionary definitions for riot
riot
/ (ˈraɪət) /
noun
a disturbance made by an unruly mob or (in law) three or more persons; tumult or uproar
(as modifier)a riot gun; riot police; a riot shield
boisterous activity; unrestrained revelry
an occasion of boisterous merriment
slanga person who occasions boisterous merriment
a dazzling or arresting displaya riot of colour
huntingthe indiscriminate following of any scent by hounds
archaicwanton lasciviousness
run riot
to behave wildly and without restraint
(of plants) to grow rankly or profusely
verb
(intr)to take part in a riot
(intr)to indulge in unrestrained revelry or merriment
(tr foll by away) to spend (time or money) in wanton or loose livinghe has rioted away his life
Derived forms of riot
rioter, nounrioting, noun
Word Origin for riot
C13: from Old French riote dispute, from ruihoter to quarrel, probably from ruir to make a commotion, from Latin rugīre to roar
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