Synonyms for riot
- noun
- verb
Most common
orgy debauchery saturnalia debauch scream thigh-slapper disturbance
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Orgy
orgy, spree, debauchery, debauch, saturnalia, bacchanal, bacchanalia
2. Scream
scream, wow, belly laugh, howler, thigh-slapper, sidesplitter
3. Disturbance
disturbance, disorder, anarchy, commotion, insurrection, strife, brawl, lawlessness, mutiny, fracas, revolution, fight, uproar, affray, turbulence, outbreak, tumult, quarrel, rumpus, trouble, brouhaha, fuss
Other
hub-bub, barrel of monkeys informal, laughathon informal
Verb
Definitions
- n. 1
A tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by a large group of people, often involving violence or damage to property.
The protests began peacefully but turned into riots after several days.
- n. 2
A wide and unconstrained variety.
In summer this flower garden is a riot of colour.
- n. 3
A humorous or entertaining event or person.
- v. 1
To create or take part in a riot; to raise an uproar or sedition.
The nuclear protesters rioted outside the military base.
Choose the right word
Confusion, disorder, riot, and tumult are incidental and temporary outbreaks of lawlessness, but may not be anarchy.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- orgy During the orgy Megumi ran naked round the lawn.
- debauchery Charles lived a life of debauchery when he was young.
- debauch The pirates wished to debauch him because of his beauty.
- scream She heard him scream, so she ran into his bedroom.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| riot | steady | |
| orgy | rising | |
| debauchery | rising | |
| saturnalia | steady | |
| debauch | steady | |
| scream | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- wow1
- 4 letters
- fuss1, orgy2
- 5 letters
- fight1, spree1, brawl1, revel2
- 6 letters
- scream1, strife1, mutiny3, uproar2, tumult2, howler2, fracas2, rumpus, affray
- 7 letters
- trouble2, anarchy3, quarrel2, debauch, carouse2, roister2
- 8 letters
- disorder3, outbreak2, brouhaha3
- 9 letters
- commotion3, luxuriate, bacchanal3
- 10 letters
- revolution4, turbulence3, debauchery4, saturnalia, laughathon
- 11 letters
- disturbance3, lawlessness3, bacchanalia4
- 12 letters
- insurrection4, sidesplitter
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (orgy2 = 2 syllables).