fracas

noun

fra·​cas ˈfrā-kəs  ˈfra- 

British

ˈfra-ˌkä 

plural fracases ˈfrā-kə-səz 

ˈfra-

or British fracas ˈfra-ˌkäz 

: a noisy quarrel : brawl

a drunken fracas

Synonyms of fracas

• skirmish
• clash
• battle
• fight
• scuffle
• dustup

Examples of fracas in a Sentence

the police broke up the fracas in the bar and threw both combatants in the lockup

police preparing for any fracas that might follow the soccer game

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, no punches thrown from his direction on the way out, beyond the social-media trail that seemingly precipitated the Friday fracas with Adebayo. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026

Cavalli, 27, was disciplined for his role in a scuffle that broke out during Washington’s game against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night, including a comment that ignited the fracas. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 7 July 2026

While Rodriguez did not respond to a request for comment from ARTnews at press time, Artnet has an interview with Snider on the fracas, as well as comparison between both works. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 18 June 2026

The fracas played out in heated sermons, editorials, and denominational meetings. — Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, din, row, from Italian fracasso, from fracassare to shatter

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fracas

noun

fra·​cas ˈfrā-kəs  ˈfrak-əs 

: a noisy quarrel or fight