donnybrook

noun

don·​ny·​brook ˈdä-nē-ˌbru̇k How to pronounce donnybrook (audio)
often capitalized
1
2
: a usually public quarrel or dispute

Examples of donnybrook in a Sentence

A donnybrook has erupted over the court's decision. a dozen people were arrested after the donnybrook at the stadium
Recent Examples on the Web 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 There were, however, the makings of a donnybrook. Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022 Both guys are going to come out swinging and tire themselves out, but Danny’s going to bring it early and often to make Errol prove he’s fully recovered in a donnybrook. Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2020 The unequal three-way donnybrook — film critics on one side, the vox populi and aggrieved artists on the other — is a digital-era twist on a perennial Hollywood story. Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2022 Second, there is that political donnybrook sense of a right ugly fight while people hammer each other in hopes of furthering their own agendas. Erik Sherman, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2021 City officials said the donnybrook between FirstEnergy and Cleveland Public Power has spanned several years, both inside and outside courtrooms, fights that are likely to continue. John Caniglia, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2021 Wilson then followed up his battering of Buchnevich by body-slamming Artemiy Panarin to the ice during the ensuing donnybrook. Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 4 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'donnybrook.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Donnybrook Fair, annual Irish event known for its brawls

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of donnybrook was in 1852

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near donnybrook

donnot

donnybrook

Donnybrook

Cite this Entry

“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/donnybrook. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Geographical Definition

Donnybrook

geographical name

Don·​ny·​brook ˈdä-nē-ˌbru̇k How to pronounce Donnybrook (audio)
city in the province of Leinster, eastern Ireland

Note: Donnybrook is a southeastern suburb of Dublin.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!