riot

noun

ˈrī-ət How to pronounce riot (audio)
Definition of riotnext
as in hoot
someone or something that is very funny she's such a riot at parties

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of riot Officers underwent constitutional policing and de-escalation training and a smaller group of officers received specialized instruction on responding to civil unrest and riots. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 The seventh defendant, Ines Soto, was sentenced to 50 years in prison after being convicted of providing material support to terrorists, riot and explosives. — Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 South Africa’s history of violent anti-immigration riots stretches back to 2009, peaking again in 2015, 2019, and 2021, fueled by socioeconomic discontent. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026 The group traces the country’s history of xenophobic attacks back to 2008, when 62 people—including 21 South Africans, 11 Mozambicans, 5 Zimbabweans and 3 Somalis—were killed in riots targeting refugees. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for riot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riot
  1. hoot
  2. scream
  3. laugh
Noun
  • Their hoots and hollers drowned Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s explanation of how a title defense fell short.
    — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 31 May 2026
  • Periodically, Spider-Noir is, indeed, a hoot.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
Definition of hoot
Noun
  • The delighted screams were coming from a man wearing a Mexico soccer jersey in the first row.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Alicent fights back and is ultimately rescued by Grand Maester Orwyle, who hears her screams.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • Fox Sports cameras showed Swift sharing a laugh with Kelce’s mother, Donna Kelce, in a suite.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • Davidson cowrote each episode, providing plenty of laughs and adding an extra bounce to the show’s hopeful ending.
    — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
Definition of laugh

Phrases Containing riot

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rinsing
riot
riot act
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Cite this Entry

“Riot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riot. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on riot

Nglish: Translation of riot for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about riot

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