rioting
Violent street protest
Rioting is violent public disorder—crowds destroying property, clashing with police, or looting.
The term appears in news coverage and legal contexts: Rioting broke out after the verdict.
Unlike protesting, rioting implies lawlessness and destruction.
Someone charged with rioting faces criminal penalties for participating in such disturbances.
Theft during disorder
- arsonCriminal deliberate burning
- vandalismWillful property damage
- clashesViolent encounters or disagreements
- mobsChaotic, lawless gatherings
destruction · rampage · pillaging · brutality · assaults · brawls · melees · bloodshed
State of utter confusion
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- havocWidespread destruction and chaos
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
disorder · commotion · tumult · frenzy · anarchy · lawlessness · melee · fracas
Public disturbance by citizens
- disturbanceDisruption of order
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
- discontentUnhappiness with circumstances
tensions · grievances · flashpoint · powder keg · curfew · martial law · state of emergency · lockdown
Public display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
- rallyGathering for a cause
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- rebellionDefiance of established power
insurrection · revolt · resistance · defiance · barricades · occupation · sit-in · civil disobedience
Disorderly, aggressive crowd
- throngDense pressing crowd
- swarmingGathering in large numbers
- massesBulk or populace
- hordeDisorganized, overwhelming crowd
stampede · surge · rushing · overrunning · crowding · gathering · assembly · looters
Civil law enforcement
- crackdownSudden strict enforcement
- dispersalSpreading in many directions
- water cannonPressurized stream weapon
- shieldsProtective barriers for defense
batons · arrests · detentions · National Guard · troops · deployment · containment · suppression
looting
Theft during disorder
- arsonCriminal deliberate burning
- vandalismWillful property damage
- clashesViolent encounters or disagreements
mobs · destruction · rampage · pillaging · brutality · assaults · brawls · melees · bloodshed · aggression
pandemonium
State of utter confusion
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- havocWidespread destruction and chaos
turmoil · disorder · commotion · tumult · frenzy · anarchy · lawlessness · melee · fracas · ruckus
civil unrest
Public disturbance by citizens
- disturbanceDisruption of order
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
discontent · tensions · grievances · flashpoint · powder keg · curfew · martial law · state of emergency · lockdown · unease
demonstration
Public display of opinion
rebellion · insurrection · revolt · resistance · defiance · barricades · occupation · sit-in · civil disobedience · activism
mob
Disorderly, aggressive crowd
horde · stampede · surge · rushing · overrunning · crowding · gathering · assembly · looters · agitators
police
Civil law enforcement
- crackdownSudden strict enforcement
- dispersalSpreading in many directions
- water cannonPressurized stream weapon
shields · batons · arrests · detentions · National Guard · troops · deployment · containment · suppression · crowd control
- civil unrestmob, uprising, revolt, unrest, uprisings
- misdemeanorsmisdemeanor, petty theft, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, petty larceny
- aggressionhostility, violence, attack, fight, combativeness
- crimesarson, burglary, robbery, kidnapping, vandalism
- wrongdoingmisconduct, crime, sabotage, crimes, misbehavior
- crowd behaviorcheering, chanting, booing, clapping, applause
riotingpeace
Freedom from disturbance
order · lawfulness · tranquility · law and order · public order
riotingpeaceful protest
Nonviolent collective expression of dissent
peaceful assembly · nonviolent resistance · peaceful demonstration · passive resistance · civil disobedience
riotingcalm
Free from agitation
tranquility · peacefulness · quiet · stillness · quiescence