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rioter

Other forms: rioters

A rioter is someone who takes part in a brawl or a violent disturbance. If you want a peaceful protest rally, don't invite rioters.

Sometimes protesters are accused of being rioters: the difference between the two is that protesters are generally peaceful, and that even if they're stirred to violent action, protesters have a social or political goal — or an event or policy to protest. Rioters only have the goal of causing a disruption. Sports fans sometimes turn into rioters after a big loss (or win). Rioter comes from the Old French, in which it means "chatter, dispute, or quarrel."

Definitions of rioter
  1. noun
    troublemaker who participates in a violent disturbance of the peace; someone who rises up against the constituted authority
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    type of:
    bad hat, mischief-maker, trouble maker, troublemaker, troubler
    someone who deliberately stirs up trouble
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