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

From here, a fracas of colors, textures, and patterns permeates every last corner of this 57-room hotel. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

Three of the six people injured in the top-floor fracas were police officers, according to Sgt. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

The Cowboys also plan to fine their own players who were involved in the fracases. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

The fracas in the video, of course, is a distraction from the music that’s playing in the background, ostensibly a song from the record, which is notable since the announcement didn’t come with a track list or a single. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 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