riots
Streets erupt violently
Riots are violent public disturbances involving crowds—typically featuring property destruction, clashes with police, or looting.
A riot may erupt from protest, celebration, or collective outrage: The verdict sparked riots across the city.
The verb means to participate in such disorder.
Figuratively, something that's a riot is extremely funny or entertaining.
To run riot is to behave without restraint: Weeds ran riot in the abandoned garden.
Violent uprising against authority
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- mutinyRevolt against authority
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
coup · insurgency · sedition · overthrow · liberation · guerrilla · militancy · extremism
Theft during disorder
- arsonCriminal deliberate burning
- vandalismWillful property damage
- rampageViolent, destructive outburst
- destructionAct of completely ruining
mob · pillaging · burning · smashing · assault · attacks · beatings · storefronts
State of utter confusion
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- disorderAbsence of organization
commotion · tumult · havoc · frenzy · anarchy · lawlessness · breakdown · stampede
Chemical causing forced weeping
- rubber bulletsNon-lethal police ammunition
- water cannonPressurized stream weapon
- curfewMandated return time
- martial lawArmed forces governance
National Guard · batons · shields · arrests · detention · crackdown · dispersal · kettling
insurrection
Violent uprising against authority
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- mutinyRevolt against authority
revolution · coup · insurgency · sedition · overthrow · liberation · guerrilla · militancy · extremism · radicalism
looting
Theft during disorder
- arsonCriminal deliberate burning
- vandalismWillful property damage
- rampageViolent, destructive outburst
destruction · mob · pillaging · burning · smashing · assault · attacks · beatings · storefronts · shattered
pandemonium
State of utter confusion
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
disorder · commotion · tumult · havoc · frenzy · anarchy · lawlessness · breakdown · stampede · panic
teargas
Chemical causing forced weeping
- rubber bulletsNon-lethal police ammunition
- water cannonPressurized stream weapon
- curfewMandated return time
martial law · National Guard · batons · shields · arrests · detention · crackdown · dispersal · kettling · lockdown
demonstration
Public display of opinion
placards · chanting · civil disobedience · boycott · sit-in · solidarity · movement · activism · dissent · grievance
- civil unrestmob, uprising, revolt, unrest, uprisings
- lawlessnessanarchy, chaos, disorder, lawbreaking, crime
- mob psychologymob mentality, herd behavior, pack mentality, deindividuation, mass hysteria
- political crisescivil unrest, coups, military coup, political instability, political violence
- rebellionrevolt, rebel, mutiny, insurgency, insurrection
- social conflictclass conflict, class struggle, class warfare, class war, power struggles
riotspeace
Freedom from disturbance
order · calm · tranquility · civil order · public order
riotspeaceful protests
Orderly public expressions of dissent
nonviolent resistance · civil disobedience · sit-ins · silent protests · passive resistance
riotscelebrations
Organized expressions of joy
festivals · parades · jubilees · carnivals · block parties
- riot policeOfficers deployed for civil unrest
- read the riot actSeverely warn of consequences
- the riot actForceful verbal reprimand
- riot gearProtective equipment for civil disturbance
- run riotAct wildly without control
- riot shieldProtective panel for officers