What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stampede
Example
The herd of cattle stampeded through the field, causing chaos. [stampeded: past tense]
Example
The crowd stampeded towards the stage when the band started playing. [stampeding: present participle]
commotion
Example
There was a commotion outside the building, and people were shouting and running. [commotion: noun]
Example
The children caused a commotion in the classroom, and the teacher had to calm them down. [caused: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Commotion is more commonly used than stampede in everyday language. Commotion is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stampede is less common and usually associated with specific situations involving animals or large crowds.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stampede and commotion?
Both stampede and commotion are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, commotion can be employed in more formal settings than stampede due to its broader range of meanings and less negative connotation.
