1
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
the police broke up the fracas in the bar and threw both combatants in the lockup
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
police preparing for any fracas that might follow the soccer game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fracas
Bridges didn’t like what Duren did and pointed at him, sparking another fracas when Stewart, who wasn’t even in the game, came off the bench and confronted Bridges, prompting Bridges to tackle him like a linebacker.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
At one point, Waugh returned to the room, grabbed a homemade handgun and returned to the fracas.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2026
Players and coaches from both teams quickly joined the fracas to try and separate Dort and Fears.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Perhaps the latest fracas over a 2024 climate, parks and environmental bond will offer a useful lesson for coming elections.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
At one point, Waugh returned to the room, grabbed a homemade handgun and returned to the fracas.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2026
Players and coaches from both teams quickly joined the fracas to try and separate Dort and Fears.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Perhaps the latest fracas over a 2024 climate, parks and environmental bond will offer a useful lesson for coming elections.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
Noun
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While the skirmish was going on, Tre White had to be held back by KU assistant Tony Bland, and White did not seem pleased as the two exchanged some words.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
4 Mar. 2026
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What happened Pakistan’s military Sunday escalated days of violent skirmishes with Afghanistan by launching airstrikes on Bagram Air Base, according to Afghan officials.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Videos circulating on social media captured one protester rushing into the vigil and attempting to tear down a poster, resulting in a brawl between the two groups that prompted the New York City Police Department to intervene.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Mar. 2026
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As the brawl unfolded, the crowd could be heard shouting profanity.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On Friday night, three people were taken into custody amid a clash between pro-Iranian regime demonstrators, who erected a shrine to the slain Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, the former supreme leader of Iran, and anti-Khamenei protesters at Washington Square Park.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
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The recent developments evoke the clash of civilizations theory developed by Samuel Huntington in the 1990s.—
Debidatta A. Mahapatra,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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According to investigators, what began as an argument between individuals quickly escalated into a physical altercation and ended with gunfire.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
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Police said a large group of people were at the location when there was an altercation in the parking lot, leading to the shooting.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Calamia won that battle — and then won first place in the race days later.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Former President Barack Obama is promoting a Democratic effort to redraw congressional lines in Virginia, the latest front in a nationwide redistricting battle ahead of this year's midterm elections.—
MEG KINNARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Seizures, fights also reported on calls Most of the 911 calls were made by the camp’s contract medical staff.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Pinkston player Charles Riley (12) and Kimball player Kayden Gray (00) fight to control the ball during a Kimball High School versus Pinkston High School boys basketball playoff game at the Ellis Davis Field House in Dallas, Texas, on Mar 6, 2026.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Police body camera footage released by the Connecticut Office of Inspector General Inspector showed Walker brandishing a knife and raised the blade toward a policeman who had fallen over during a scuffle in the apartment involving Walker and his family members.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2026
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Video from multiple angles showed that Pretti did not try to draw his gun from his waistband before or during the scuffle with federal agents.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Cops called to the dustup arrested Brown without incident.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
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But the dustup goes much deeper than those two prohibitions.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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