hell broke loose

ADJECTIVE

hectic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

boisterous chaotic exciting frenetic frenzied heated tumultuous unsettled

WEAK

animated burning confused disordered excited fervid fevered feverish flurrying flustering furious hassle jungle madhouse nutsy restless riotous rip-roaring wild woolly zoolike

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm peaceful quiet

WEAK

easeful leisurely unhurried

NOUN

commotion

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agitation annoyance brouhaha bustle confusion excitement ferment flap furor fuss hubbub outcry pandemonium rebellion revolt tumult turbulence upheaval

STRONG

ado backwash ballyhoo bedlam clatter combustion convulsion discomposure disquiet dither fermentation flurry insurgence insurrection lather mutiny perturbation pother racket riot rumpus stew stir to-do uprising upset upturn vexation welter whirl

WEAK

big scene big stink hurly-burly

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm calmness happiness harmony order peace pleasure

STRONG

ease obedience quiet

WEAK

quietude repose silence stillness tranquility

NOUN

ferment

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commotion disquiet excitement frenzy restlessness tumult turbulence unrest upheaval uproar

STRONG

ailment brouhaha clamor convulsion disquietude disruption disturbance fever flap furor fuss heat hubbub imbroglio outcry restiveness row rumble scene stew stink stir storm to-do turmoil upturn

WEAK

state of unrest

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm calmness peace stillness tranquility

STRONG

agreement frigidity harmony order quiet silence

WEAK

contentedness happiness pleasure

NOUN

fighting

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bloodshed combat conflict dispute exchange hostility melee riot scuffle strife struggle war warfare

STRONG

argument beef blowup bout brawling brush contention flap fracas free-for-all go hassle joust match mix rough-and-tumble roughhouse row rowdy rumble rumpus run-in scramble scrap scrimmage set-to spat tiff words wrangle

WEAK

battle royal brannigan donnybrook punch out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accord agreement calm harmony peace

WEAK

ceasefire surrender

NOUN

frenzy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

burst craze excitement fever free-for-all furor fury hysteria madness mania outburst passion rage turmoil

STRONG

aberration agitation blow bout conniption convulsion delirium derangement distemper distraction dithers ferment fit flap fuss insanity lather lunacy paroxysm row ruckus ruction rumble rumpus seizure spasm stew stir to-do transport

WEAK

blow a fuse blow one's cork blow one's stack blow one's top flip one's lid wingding

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm calmness happiness harmony order peace

STRONG

balance saneness soundness

WEAK

peacefulness

NOUN

furor

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agitation commotion craze enthusiasm flap free-for-all frenzy fury fuss hysteria outburst outcry rage ruckus tumult uproar

STRONG

ado bustle fad ferment hullabaloo lunacy madness mania row stir to-do whirl

WEAK

big scene big stink

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm calmness happiness harmony order peace peacefulness quiet silence

NOUN

hubbub

Synonyms

STRONGEST

brouhaha clamor fuss hue and cry ruckus tumult uproar

STRONG

babel bedlam confusion din disturbance hassle hullabaloo jangle noise pandemonium racket riot ruction rumpus to-do turmoil whirl

WEAK

hurly-burly rowdydow

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm peace

STRONG

harmony order quiet

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

hell broke loose

A Rhode Island country club built a wall to protect its golf course—and all hell broke loose.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

"In other words, all hell broke loose," Kennett said.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 1, 2026

"Within seconds, all hell broke loose," said Det Insp Ben Dalloway from the Met Police.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2025

Several times now, he's been late off the mark, belatedly following Musk's lead after all hell broke loose.

From Salon ● Dec. 30, 2024

When Cleon Jones camped under the final fly ball against the Orioles, all hell broke loose.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García

hell broke loose

Example Sentences

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