暴徒(ぼうと)

ぼうと
noun
rioter; mob
formalsocietylaw
1. rioter; mob; violent crowd
A person or group engaging in violent, destructive, or lawless behavior in public, typically as part of a riot or civil disturbance.
暴徒(ぼうと)が店(みせ)を襲(おそ)った。
Rioters attacked the store.
警察(けいさつ)は暴徒(ぼうと)を鎮圧(ちんあつ)しようとした。
The police tried to suppress the rioters.
平和的(へいわてき)なデモが暴徒化(ぼうとか)し、建物(たてもの)や車(くるま)が破壊(はかい)された。
A peaceful demonstration turned into a riot, and buildings and cars were destroyed.

A formal word used in news reporting and official contexts. Carries a strongly negative connotation of violent, lawless behavior. The compound 暴徒化(ぼうとか) (turning into a riot/mob) is commonly used to describe peaceful protests escalating into violence.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 群衆(ぐんしゅう): crowd — neutral term, not necessarily violent
  • 暴漢(ぼうかん): thug, assailant — an individual violent criminal
  • デモ隊(たい): demonstrators — protesters, not necessarily violent

Related Words

Compare: 群衆(ぐんしゅう) (crowd)
general
Added 2026.3.30 15:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
20500/20681_bouto