骚乱即社会不同阶层之间或阶层内部的冲突与对立，包括社会底层为争取自身权益与统治阶层的对抗，或因统治阶层不当行为激发民怨，引发的与统治阶层冲突与对立。长时间的持续对立，可能会使冲突范围扩大化，冲突的升级可能诱发政局动荡与战争，最终导致政权更迭。

暴动通常是随机发生并混乱无秩序的，对象可以是政府官员、工厂老板、政党，导火线通常是不特定的事件，例如：二二八事件的枪击，暴动背后皆有其动机：对整个大环境的不满。当暴动次数越趋频繁，规模渐大，群众渐增。暴动开始时是有预谋的行动时就导致叛乱，但暴动或暴乱亦可以是由有秩序的示威游行演变而成。

A riot (/ˈraɪət/) is a form of civil disorder commonly characterized by a group lashing out in a violent public disturbance against authority, property or people. Riots typically involve vandalism and the destruction of property, public or private. The property targeted varies depending on the riot and the inclinations of those involved. Targets can include shops, cars, restaurants, state-owned institutions, and religious buildings.