ENGLISH
REFERENCE

riots

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɹaɪəts// UK //ɹˈaɪəts// ri·ots

n. noisy and violent public meetings where a large group of people causes trouble or damage. These usually happen when people are very angry about something in society.

n. violent disturbances of the peace by a crowd, typically involving damage to property and clashes with law enforcement. Often used to describe civil unrest or spontaneous public protests that turn destructive.


SIMPLE

The city was quiet after three days of riots.

CONTEXTUAL

The government declared a state of emergency following the riots that broke out in the capital last night.

COMPLEX

Sociologists argue that the riots were not merely random acts of violence but a desperate response to decades of systemic inequality and police misconduct.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used in the plural form when referring to a series of events or general civil unrest.

© 2026 English Reference