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Commotion vs Riot - What's the difference?

commotion | riot |

As nouns the difference between commotion and riot

is that commotion is a state of turbulent motion while riot is wanton or unrestrained behavior; uproar; tumult.

As a verb riot is

to create or take part in a riot; to raise an uproar or sedition.

commotion

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A state of turbulent motion.
  • An agitated disturbance or a hubbub.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=19 citation , passage=When Timothy and Julia hurried up the staircase to the bedroom floor, where a considerable commotion was taking place, Tim took Barry Leach with him. He had him gripped firmly by the arm, since he felt it was not safe to let him loose, and he had no immediate idea what to do with him.}}
  • (euphemistic) Sexual excitement.
    • {{quote-Fanny Hill, part=3 , and now, glancing my eyes towards that part of his dress which cover'd the essential object of enjoyment, I plainly discover'd the swell and commotion there}}

    Derived terms

    *

    Synonyms

    * See also

    riot

    English

    (wikipedia riot)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Wanton or unrestrained behavior; uproar; tumult.
  • * Shakespeare
    • His headstrong riot hath no curb.
  • The tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by an unlawful assembly of three or more persons in the execution of some private object.
  • Excessive and expensive feasting; wild and loose festivity; revelry.
  • * Chaucer
    • Venus loveth riot and dispense.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • the lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day

    Derived terms

    * rioter * run riot

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To create or take part in a riot; to raise an uproar or sedition.
    • The nuclear protesters rioted outside the military base.
  • (obsolete) To act in an unrestrained or wanton manner; to indulge in excess of luxury, feasting, etc.
  • * Daniel
    • Now he exact of all, wastes in delight, / Riots in pleasure, and neglects the law.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • No pulse that riots , and no blood that glows.

    Anagrams

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