as in condemnation
an often public or formal expression of disapproval
at a specially called meeting, he read the riot act to his staff for their poor handling of the crisis
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Recent Examples of riot act
Half of MomTok, led by Jessi, spent the previous evening reading Dakota the riot act for hooking up with a friend of Taylor’s.
—
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
But this wasn’t the guy who struggled earlier this season to the point that Cronin had to read him the riot act, as he has been known to do.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
In a speech at NATO headquarters in February, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth read the riot act to European allies and Canada.
—Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
During negotiations for a cease-fire, Steven Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, read Netanyahu the riot act, potentially pushing the deal over the line—even before Trump took office.
—Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2025
In the late ’80s, for example, he was implicated (and read the riot act by a court for his actions) in the goring and critical injury of a fellow outdoorsman, an event that cost Peter at least one of his oldest friends in Africa.
—Chris Wallace, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024
Expert John reads him the riot act, and says that Timmy is either going to have to give Lucinda a smooch and lean into the affection — or the relationship is dunzo.
—Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 11 Feb. 2024
That includes the recent case of James Young, which the Daily News first reported last month, who wasn’t transferred to a medical facility for a highly contagious MRSA infection until Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Dora Irizarry read Bureau of Prisons lawyers and prosecutors the riot act.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2024
Linda spots her tree amidst the blinding lights and snatches the DJ's mic to read the crowd the riot act.
—EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
But this wasn’t the guy who struggled earlier this season to the point that Cronin had to read him the riot act, as he has been known to do.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
In a speech at NATO headquarters in February, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth read the riot act to European allies and Canada.
—Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
During negotiations for a cease-fire, Steven Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, read Netanyahu the riot act, potentially pushing the deal over the line—even before Trump took office.
—Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2025
In the late ’80s, for example, he was implicated (and read the riot act by a court for his actions) in the goring and critical injury of a fellow outdoorsman, an event that cost Peter at least one of his oldest friends in Africa.
—Chris Wallace, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024
Expert John reads him the riot act, and says that Timmy is either going to have to give Lucinda a smooch and lean into the affection — or the relationship is dunzo.
—Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 11 Feb. 2024
That includes the recent case of James Young, which the Daily News first reported last month, who wasn’t transferred to a medical facility for a highly contagious MRSA infection until Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Dora Irizarry read Bureau of Prisons lawyers and prosecutors the riot act.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2024
Linda spots her tree amidst the blinding lights and snatches the DJ's mic to read the crowd the riot act.
—EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riot act
Noun
-
News of the troop withdrawal drew swift condemnation from Democrats in Congress and members of a hawkish Washington think tank.—
Ben Finley,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Kneecap’s exploits, meanwhile, have sparked condemnation from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and saw member Mo Chara hauled in front of a judge on terrorism charges (a case that has since been thrown out of court).—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The medical board issued a formal reprimand against Ferguson and ordered him to complete continuing education on safe opioid prescribing within six months.—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
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Some activist investors had said even a 5% vote against Manifold, who has only been in post as chair since October, would represent a severe reprimand, particularly after a historic 24% vote against outgoing chair Helge Lund last year.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riot act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riot%20act. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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