commotion
noun
com·mo·tion
kə-ˈmō-shən 
1
: a condition of civil unrest or insurrection
The commotion was finally brought to an end and peace was restored.
2
: steady or recurrent motion
the commotion of the surf
3
: mental excitement or confusion
… startled … into no ordinary state of commotion.—
Arnold Bennett
Arnold BennettSynonyms
- ado
- alarums and excursions
- ballyhoo
- blather
- bluster
- bobbery
- bother
- bustle
- clatter
- clutter [chiefly dialect]
- coil
- corroboree [Australian]
- disturbance
- do [chiefly dialect]
- foofaraw
- fun
- furor
- furore
- fuss
- helter-skelter
- hoo-ha
- hoo-hah
- hoopla
- hubble-bubble
- hubbub
- hullabaloo
- hurly
- hurly-burly
- hurricane
- hurry
- hurry-scurry
- hurry-skurry
- kerfuffle [chiefly British]
- moil
- pandemonium
- pother
- row
- ruckus
- ruction
- rumpus
- shindy
- splore [Scottish]
- squall
- stew
- stir
- storm
- to-do
- tumult
- turmoil
- uproar
- welter
- whirl
- williwaw
- zoo
Examples of commotion in a Sentence
There was a sudden commotion when the actress entered the restaurant.
the commotion created when the nation's top rock band arrived in town
Recent Examples on the Web
According to footage obtained by TMZ, at least one guard appeared to lose balance amidst the scuffle, reportedly injuring their leg in the commotion.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
All that commotion in response to a threat is, again, what shows up as swelling.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024
Keep your cat or dog in a quiet room of the house away from the front door, such as the laundry room or a guest bedroom, and give them a treat or toy to distract them from the commotion.
—Jennifer Aldrich, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024
This could also be a busier month than usual where meetings and commuting is concerned, and there is also an element to the commotion that likely involves planning for the future and envisioning next steps.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for commotion 
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Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
All that commotion in response to a threat is, again, what shows up as swelling.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024
Keep your cat or dog in a quiet room of the house away from the front door, such as the laundry room or a guest bedroom, and give them a treat or toy to distract them from the commotion.
—Jennifer Aldrich, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024
This could also be a busier month than usual where meetings and commuting is concerned, and there is also an element to the commotion that likely involves planning for the future and envisioning next steps.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for commotion
Dictionary Entries Near commotion
Cite this Entry
“Commotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commotion. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
commotion
noun
com·mo·tion
kə-ˈmō-shən
1
: irregular or violent motion
2
: noisy excitement and confusion : tumult
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