riotous

adjective

ri·​ot·​ous ˈrī-ə-təs 

1

a

: of the nature of a riot : turbulent

b

: participating in riot

2

: abundant, exuberant

the garden was riotous with flowers

riotously adverb

riotousness noun

Synonyms

• antic
• chucklesome
• comedic
• comic
• comical
• droll
• farcical
• funny
• hilarious
• humoristic
• humorous
• hysterical
• hysteric
• killing
• laughable
• ludicrous
• ridiculous
• risible
• screaming
• sidesplitting
• uproarious

Examples of riotous in a Sentence

a riotous profusion of flowers

his riotous mugging always has everyone in hysterics

Recent Examples on the Web

Vice President Mike Pence accepted the results as certified by each state, defying Trump and a riotous mob to declare Joe Biden the winner. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 18 Dec. 2024

While some characters could use some scaling back in terms of their damage output (Hawkeye), the chaotic nature and unlimited potential of so many overpowered characters thrown together at once makes for a riotous experience that’s refreshingly ludicrous. —Echo Apsey, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024

But mainly it is known for the riotous setting off of fireworks, increasingly in defiance of local bans. —Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024

The Borough will be reviewing and revising plans for public events given this new riotous trend. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

riotous

adjective

ri·​ot·​ous ˈrī-ət-əs 

1

a

: of the nature of a riot

b

: taking part in rioting

2

: abundant

a garden riotous with flowers

riotously adverb

Legal Definition

riotous

adjective

ri·​ot·​ous ˈrī-ə-təs 

1

: of the nature of a riot

riotous conduct

2

: participating in a riot

a riotous assemblage