1
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
a dozen people were arrested after the donnybrook at the stadium
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2
as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the kind of hot-button issue that inevitably creates a donnybrook in the halls of the statehouse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of donnybrook
Saturday’s donnybrook at the Horseshoe may not have scared up the massive numbers that last year’s Ohio State-Michigan showdown delivered, but Fox’s broadcast of the 120th installment of The Game still ranks as the college football season’s second-biggest TV draw.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Once, according to a story pitcher George Brunet told Sports Illustrated, a manager’s argument with an umpire turned into an all-out donnybrook involving players and fans and photographers and reporters, too.
—Rustin Dodd, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024
But money has settled previous donnybrooks over new technologies.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
The donnybrook between Disney and Ron DeSantis keeps escalating, and what should be a dispute over corporate welfare has devolved into an unfortunate political brawl that both could lose.
—The Editorial Board, wsj.com, 27 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Once, according to a story pitcher George Brunet told Sports Illustrated, a manager’s argument with an umpire turned into an all-out donnybrook involving players and fans and photographers and reporters, too.
—Rustin Dodd, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024
But money has settled previous donnybrooks over new technologies.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
The donnybrook between Disney and Ron DeSantis keeps escalating, and what should be a dispute over corporate welfare has devolved into an unfortunate political brawl that both could lose.
—The Editorial Board, wsj.com, 27 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donnybrook
Noun
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Four deputies suffered minor injuries while breaking up the brawl, authorities said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
27 Sep. 2025
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In July, a group of girls got into a brawl near the restaurant's entrance that others recorded and posted on social media.—
Robert Anglen,
AZCentral.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Hubert Mazur, Ray Collins and Jocelyne Robledo were also detained at the protests after engaging in physical altercations with federal officers, according to the court documents.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
29 Sep. 2025
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After the pursuit, Reeve appeared to engage in a verbal altercation with the game official.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Following a 12-game non-conference slate, highlighted by home bouts with Utah State and Davidson, as well as road clashes with Virginia Tech and Appalachian State, the 49ers tip off what hopes to be a bounce-back year in conference play — starting on New Year’s Eve.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Sep. 2025
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In the build-up to this scene, Jordan has a clash with the head of student life about their gender identity, and the school’s intentional disregard of their experience and language around it.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The dispute affected educators and policymakers statewide — but Pendleton managed to take the best of both literacy methods and apply them to the 130,000-plus students then enrolled in San Diego schools, Lopez said.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
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And with the network television settlements, the payouts arose after personal legal disputes.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, lovers’ quarrels or difficulty dealing with children (hissy fits or meltdowns) might occur.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
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The outcome of that long-simmering family quarrel is never really in much doubt, but there are still a few neat surprises involving a couple of rare bottles of whiskey and the fate of two family businesses.—
Stephen Farber,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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What's Next Chinese research ship operations in neighboring maritime zones are likely to remain a source of controversy as the country continues to strengthen its posture in the region.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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One quick line, in which an elderly woman recognizes Mark’s sport as one that was threatened with a legal ban, suggests both its controversy and its singularity, but the subject is dropped as casually as it’s mentioned.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In a Fox Business interview, Carr mentioned that the FTC is contemplating broadening its click-to-cancel rulemaking, asserting his disagreement with the previous administration’s approach to establishing the rule.—
Jordan Green,
Nashville Tennessean,
26 Sep. 2025
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Bedtime conversations, small disagreements at the dinner table, or how respect is shown within the family all provide practice in empathy and fairness.—
Alex Shoemaker,
Parents,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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An investigation is underway into the incident, and investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the fight, according to the sheriff’s office.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
27 Sep. 2025
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Her presence in Congress would put pressure on Republicans amid the ongoing government funding fight.—
Laura Gersony,
AZCentral.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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