riot 和 disturbance 在表示“骚乱”的区别主要在程度，比较而言，riot 所表示的“骚乱”要比 disturbance 所表示的“骚乱”更暴力。比较：

▲disturbance的用例：

A disturbance in the street distracted my attention. 街上的一阵骚乱分散了我的注意力。

During the disturbance which followed, three Englishmen were hurt. 在接下来的骚乱中，3名英国人受伤。

There was a minor disturbance (= violent event in public) during the demonstration, but nobody was injured. 示威活动中发生了一件轻微的骚乱事件，但没有人受伤。

▲riot 的用例：

The riot left four people dead and several dozen injured. 暴乱中四人丧生，数十人受伤。

During the riot shops were looted and cars damaged or set on fire. 在暴乱期间商店遭洗劫，汽车被砸坏或烧毁。

If the police carry on like this they’ll have a riot on their hands. 如果警方继续这样下去，那么他们将要面临一场暴乱。