riot

A situation in which a large crowd behaves violently in a public place.

• A riot broke out downtown.
• The police arrested several people during the riots.
• Shop windows were broken in last night’s riot.

Similar words: violent disturbance

Common phrases: violent riot, riot police, start a riot

A bright, lively mixture of many different colors, sounds, or other things.

• The garden is a riot of color.
• Her dress was a riot of bright patterns.
• Birdsong filled the forest in a riot of sound.

How to use it: a riot of something (The market was a riot of colors and smells.)

Similar words: profusion, abundance

Common phrases: riot of color, riot of flowers, riot of sound

To take part in violent crowd behavior in a public place.

• The crowd began to riot.
• Fans rioted outside the stadium after the match.
• Prisoners have rioted over poor living conditions.

How to use it: riot over something (People rioted over the sudden rise in food prices.)

Similar words: rampage

Common phrases: riot in something, riot over something, riot outside something