Commotions

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A number of noisy disturbances or unrest that interrupts regular proceedings
2. Instances of uproar or agitation that result in disorder and turmoil within a situation
3. Events characterized by loud and chaotic disturbances that disrupt normal activities

Etymology: Commotion is a plural noun in this form, and the singular carries the whole story. It came into English from Middle French "commocion", which traces back to Latin "commōtiō", a noun meaning a violent shaking or moving about. That Latin noun was built from "commoveō", "to move violently", combining "com-" (an intensive prefix meaning "together" or "thoroughly") with "moveō" ("to move"), plus the noun-forming suffix "-tiō". The sense of physical shaking stayed close to the original meaning for a long time. Over the centuries, the word moved from a literal jolt or tremor toward the figurative sense of agitation spreading through a crowd, a household, or a nation. Its plural form, used in the sense you give, is most often found where many separate outbursts of disorder happen at once, such as in political unrest or family conflict.

Synonyms: disturbances, upheavals, turmoils, conflicts, turbulence

Antonyms: calm, peace, serenity, tranquility, harmony