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

Cellphone video circulating online shows Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents telling two men in Salisbury to stop recording them at a traffic stop on Monday, as well as the fracas that followed. —Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026

Instead, Johnson attempted to grab the gun and Black allegedly shot at Johnson during the fracas, killing Johnson’s friend, 55-year-old James Stephens, according to court records. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026

We’ve been heartened to see that a substantial number of alders has emerged from the recent city budget fracas to show resolve, self-discipline and real political chops. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026

The pushing and shoving continued as Bucks and Bulls players left their benches to break up the fracas. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025

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