brawl

verb

ˈbrȯl 

brawled; brawling; brawls

intransitive verb

1

: to quarrel or fight noisily : wrangle

soccer fans brawling in the streets

2

: to make a loud confused noise

The Miami river … brawled over 25 feet of rapids …

—Marjory S. Douglas

brawler noun

Synonyms of brawl

• bicker
• fight
• argue
• spat
• quarrel
• clash
• squabble
• dispute

Examples of brawl in a Sentence

Fans were brawling in the streets after the game.

the Wilsons were always loudly brawling, and the neighbors were always shutting their windows

Recent Examples on the Web

More than 13,000 smoke-damage claims have been filed, though many of those have yet to be resolved as homeowners and insurers brawl over what is and isn’t covered. —Jason Henry, Daily News, 31 May 2026

The two cousins brawled back to ringside. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

Despite the ferocious domestic rivalries, the Tartan Army is considered among the world’s friendliest football fans, known for singing and mingling instead of brawling (even if only while their national team is playing). —Laura Dannen Redman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026

This game is the ultimate in brawling adventure. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English brawlen, brallen, of uncertain origin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing brawl

• barroom brawl

Rhymes for brawl

• ahl
• all
• aul
• bawl
• call
• caul
• crawl
• dol
• doll
• drawl
• fall
• gall

Kids Definition

brawl

verb

ˈbrȯl

1

: to quarrel noisily : wrangle

2

: to make a loud confused noise

brawl noun

brawler noun