to riot

Examples

• All

• We're now seeing images of people rioting all over the Middle East.

  Blog text (1)

• The angry crowd began to riot after the unfair decision was announced.

• But there are many people who are beginning to riot right now.

  The Minimalists

• OK, well, I started a riot in the lunch room like you do.

• They would, they would riot with anger that I was doing that.

  Harvard University

• One thousand persons rioted in the Watts district last night.

  Menace II Society (1993)

• He incites the people to riot.

  Forgotten Silver (1997)

• Palestinians rioted in 1929 in several cities, including Jerusalem, Hebron, and Safed.

  Academic text (2003)

• If Romney wins, the O's minions will be rioting, burning, and looting.

  Blog text (2)

• They're rioting in Hue.

  Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

Synonyms

R

to rage

vsto riot

82 5.0

To continue with great force like a storm or fire

applies to human group disturbance, not to natural forces

R

to run riot

vsto riot

2 5.8

Behave in a wild way without control

involves violent public action rather than general unrestrained behavior

E

to erupt into riot

vsto riot

1 7.9

A crowd suddenly becomes violent and starts to damage property

involves joining a public violent disturbance rather than only starting it

G

to go on the rampage

vsto riot

• NSFW

1 7.5

To act violently and destroy things without control

is group-focused public disorder rather than a general violent spree

Antonyms

B

to behave

747 1.0

To act in a proper or polite way

Idioms

R

to read the riot act

• Informal

1 7.9

To scold someone strongly and warn them of punishment

Phrasal Verbs

R

to run riot

2 5.8

Behave in a wild way without control

E

to erupt into riot

1 7.9

A crowd suddenly becomes violent and starts to damage property

Compounds

R

race riot

• NSFW

8 7.0

A violent public fight between different races or ethnic groups that damages places and people

R

riot act

• Informal

7 7.4

A strong warning to someone to stop bad behavior

R

riot control

• Specialized

2 4.6

Ways and tools police use to control large violent crowds

R

riot gun

• Specialized

1 7.2

A gun used to break up crowds that fires rubber bullets or tear gas

R

Riot Act

• UK

9.9

A former English law that required crowds to leave when a local official read a formal announcement

R

riot control operation

• Formal

6.6

Actions that police or soldiers take to stop and control a violent crowd during a riot

How Violent

to revolt

22 4.9

to riot

26 4.9

to protest

283 3.2

to disturb

97 2.1

Surface Forms

Etymology