riotous

adjective

ri·​ot·​ous ˈrī-ə-təs How to pronounce riotous (audio)
1
a
: of the nature of a riot : turbulent
b
: participating in riot
2
: abundant, exuberant
the garden was riotous with flowers
riotously adverb
riotousness noun

Examples of riotous in a Sentence

a riotous profusion of flowers his riotous mugging always has everyone in hysterics
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The riotous colors of fall don't come all at once: Trees' leaves change unevenly, depending on their species. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024 The gallery is part of the fun, too, decked out in a riotous, tessellating wallpaper of musical homages and studded with golden geometric structures. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2024 His yarn begins a few days before the holiday, when the local children stage Three Wise Women, a riotous and progressive rendition of a play about the Three Kings. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Oct. 2024 The search ends with a lynching on a country road, a procession to the heart of the Black business district and a riotous bonfire quelled when the governor calls the militia. arkansasonline.com, 5 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for riotous 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of riotous was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near riotous

Cite this Entry

“Riotous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riotous. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

riotous

adjective
ri·​ot·​ous ˈrī-ət-əs How to pronounce riotous (audio)
1
a
: of the nature of a riot
b
: taking part in rioting
2
: abundant
a garden riotous with flowers
riotously adverb

Legal Definition

riotous

adjective
ri·​ot·​ous ˈrī-ə-təs How to pronounce riotous (audio)
1
: of the nature of a riot
riotous conduct
2
: participating in a riot
a riotous assemblage

More from Merriam-Webster on riotous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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