Definitions

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.

Crowd commotion hits a heavy metal high and drops steeply to silence.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Below are key points about the big commotion over getting money back.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Outside the banquet hall after the Paxton event had ended, Paul Barbieri and a friend stood by their pickup truck wondering what all the commotion had been about.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 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

Before she could stop them, her brothers raced to the side of the road to see what was making such a commotion.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

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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