noun
1.
a state of often disorderly civic unrest
the whole city was in commotion over the new restrictions
Synonyms: clamor, convulsion, ferment, outcry, tumult, upheaval, upturn
Related Word: insurgence, insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolt, riot, uprising
2.
a state of usually mental or emotional excitement
this challenge threw him into great commotion of mind
Synonyms: agitation, confusion, dither, flap, lather, pother, stew, tumult, turbulence, turmoil
Related Word: discomposure, disquiet, flurry, fluster, perturbation, upset; annoyance, bother, irritation, vexation; strain, tension
Contrasted words: calm, placidity, quietude, relaxation, serenity
3.
a noisy and often unruly disturbance
the children created a commotion over missing the circus
Synonyms: brouhaha, ||catouse, coil, foofaraw, furore, fuss, hurrah, ruckus, rumpus, shindig, shindy, to-do, uproar
Related Word: din, hubbub, hullabaloo, pandemonium, racket; fracas, ruction, row
4.
a state of noisy confusion
never saw such commotion as the time the old sow got out and knocked the preacher into the midden
Synonyms: bustle, clamor, clatter, hassle, hubbub, hurly-burly, lather, moil, pother, rowdydow, ruction, storm, to-do, tow-row, tumult, turmoil, uproar, whirl, whoopla; compare din , stir 1
Contrasted words: calmness, order, peace, quiet