commotion

[kuh-moh-shuhn] / kəˈmoʊ ʃən /

NOUN

clamor, uproar

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agitation annoyance brouhaha bustle confusion excitement ferment flap furor fuss hubbub outcry pandemonium rebellion revolt tumult turbulence upheaval

STRONG

ado backwash ballyhoo bedlam clatter combustion convulsion discomposure disquiet dither fermentation flurry insurgence insurrection lather mutiny perturbation pother racket riot rumpus stew stir to-do uprising upset upturn vexation welter whirl

WEAK

big scene big stink hell broke loose hurly-burly

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm calmness happiness harmony order peace pleasure

STRONG

ease obedience quiet

WEAK

quietude repose silence stillness tranquility

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Leading opposition member and lawyer Fadzayi Mahere told the BBC that Zanu-PF supporters had caused the "commotion" in order to prevent critics from registering their disagreement with the bill.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Dharmendra Prasad, a 37-year-old taxi driver living far below the lake in the town of Rangpo Forest, awoke to a commotion, as townspeople desperately scrambled to get to higher ground.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Last June, Naomi Welikala noticed a line curving around the block of her local American Legion, an unassuming building that rarely invited commotion.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

“It’s disruptive,” Nathan said of the commotion surrounding Guthrie’s disappearance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Clare crept closer, the sound of his approach buried beneath the human commotion.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Vocabulary lists containing commotion

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

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Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 1

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List 6

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