brawl

verb

\ˈbrȯl

\

brawled; brawling; brawls

Definition of brawl

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

brawl

noun

Definition of brawl (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a noisy quarrel or fight a brawl broke out among the fans a barroom brawl

2 : a loud tumultuous noise the spring run became quite a trout brook and its tiny murmur a loud brawl— John Burroughs

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Examples of brawl in a Sentence

Verb

Fans were brawling in the streets after the game. the Wilsons were always loudly brawling, and the neighbors were always shutting their windows

Noun

they were thrown out of the party after starting a brawl the student drama society's decision to put on the controversial play prompted a brawl at the school board meeting

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

By brawling with America’s friends, critics say, Trump has squandered an opportunity to build a united front against China. — Paul Wiseman, The Seattle Times, "What you need to know about the upcoming U.S.-China tariffs," 2 July 2018 Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton are the only presidents to have endured one—threatening impeachment has become as commonplace in America’s hyper-polarised system as brawling in the Taiwanese parliament. — The Economist, "The case against impeachment," 12 July 2018 The two sides began brawling in the streets before the rally got underway, throwing punches, unleashing chemical sprays and setting off smoke bombs. — Washington Post, "Lawsuit resolution could thwart Charlottesville violence," 12 July 2018 Two North Carolina girls’ softball teams are now banned from future tournaments after their parents and fans were caught brawling over apparently questionable calls made by an umpire. — Greg Norman, Fox News, "North Carolina girls' softball teams banned from events after parents caught brawling at tournament," 19 June 2018 Imagine Joe Maddon and Clint Hurdle brawling at third base. — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Brewers' return to South Side rekindles memories of a once-heated rivalry," 1 June 2018 Fans of soccer teams Leyendas De Las Chivas and Leyendas De La America began brawling before the high-profile soccer match started Saturday afternoon, said Sgt. — Molly Sullivan, sacbee, "Man stabbed, others injured as hundreds brawl at Lodi soccer game," 11 June 2018 Wanting to see that happen more than most were the diehard followers, the hooligans, both in Britain and in the rest of Europe, whose brawling tarnished the game. — Leo Robson, The New Yorker, "How We Watch Soccer Now," 5 Dec. 2016 Upset, the suspect followed them inside and started brawling with the man who owns the trailer. — Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Man shot in face after drunken dispute in SE Harris County trailer," 17 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Farm goods could be a big weakness for China should the trade conflict with the United States turn into an all-out brawl. — Raymond Zhong, BostonGlobe.com, "China’s taste for soybeans is a weak spot in trade war with Trump," 9 July 2018 Farm goods could be a big weakness for China should the trade conflict with the United States turn into an all-out brawl. — Raymond Zhong, New York Times, "China’s Taste for Soybeans Is a Weak Spot in the Trade War With Trump," 9 July 2018 An international basketball game between Australia and the Philippines devolved into an all-out brawl Monday. — Tom Schad, USA TODAY, "Australia-Philippines FIBA basketball game gets ugly with 13 ejections after massive brawl," 2 July 2018 The Dow Jones industrial average closed down 287 points, or 1.15 percent, to 24,700 on worries that the tit-for-tat tariff threats between the two countries could expand into an economic brawl. — Renae Merle, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Trump's CFPB nominee is facing questions about the immigration controversy," 20 June 2018 The Dow Jones industrial average closed down 287 points, or 1.15 percent, to 24,700 on worries that the tit-for-tat tariff threats between the two countries could expand into an economic brawl. — Thomas Heath, chicagotribune.com, "U.S. stocks slump in global sell-off after Trump threatens more tariffs on China," 19 June 2018 And that haggling could be a spectacle in itself as tribal casinos, card clubs and racetracks get into a likely expensive political brawl over the right to the millions of dollars of revenue sports gambling will generate. — Hugo Martin, latimes.com, "Sports gambling may be coming to California — but it's unclear who will take your bets," 20 May 2018 In February, 23 members of the same family were ejected from an Australian cruise after a brawl broke out. — Jamie Ducharme, Time, "50 Staterooms Flooded on Carnival Cruise Ship Dream After Pipe Burst," 5 May 2018 Porter was arrested with McCoy following a nightclub brawl involving off-duty police officers in Philadelphia in February 2016. — Washington Post, "Police: Woman assaulted at home of NFL star LeSean McCoy," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'brawl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Time Traveler for brawl

The first known use of brawl was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for brawl

brawl

verb

English Language Learners Definition of brawl

: to fight noisily in usually a public place

See the full definition for brawl in the English Language Learners Dictionary

brawl

verb

\ˈbrȯl

\

brawled; brawling

Kids Definition of brawl

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to quarrel or fight noisily

brawl

noun

Kids Definition of brawl (Entry 2 of 2)

: a noisy quarrel or fight

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