melee
noun
, mā-ˈlā\
Definition of melee
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms for melee
Synonyms
affray [chiefly British], brawl, broil, donnybrook, fracas, fray, free-for-all, rough-and-tumble, row, ruckus, ruction
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of melee in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Teammates and coaches from both sides rushed into the melee to break it up. — Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, "Texans star DeAndre Hopkins, 49ers defensive back Jimmie Ward fight at joint practice," 15 Aug. 2018 Read more: Rouse was charged after a block party turned into a shooting melee early Thursday morning around Court and Clemens streets. — Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, "Mount Clemens block-party murder suspect arrested at outside Chicago," 7 July 2018 Then, with one thrown elbow by Philippines player Roger Pogoy, the contest turned into an all-out melee. — Matt Velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Bucks' Thon Maker involved in brawl during game between Australia and Philippines in FIBA World Cup," 2 July 2018 Nine people were arrested after a black disc jockey playing at a Lynnwood tavern early Saturday was physically attacked in a melee in which racial slurs were used. — Erik Lacitis, The Seattle Times, "DJ at Lynnwood tavern attacked; 9 arrested in melee involving racial slurs," 8 Dec. 2018 One plaintiff claims an officer told her police had been instructed not to intervene in the melee. — Lucia I. Suarez Sang, Fox News, "Trump supporters pelted by eggs, punches can sue San Jose cops after attack, court says," 31 July 2018 In that melee, Bishop Silvio Báez, auxiliary bishop of Managua, was punched in the stomach as an assailant tried to steal his pectoral cross. — José De Córdoba |, WSJ, "Church Becomes Target in Nicaragua Crisis," 23 July 2018 At some point in the melee, a bullet struck him and pierced his lung, according to his death certificate. — Joshua Partlow, Washington Post, "‘The people lost their fear’: How Nicaragua’s new revolution took shape," 26 Apr. 2018 On April 13, the end of Winnipeg’s 4–1 win over Minnesota devolved into multiple melees, yielding 70 PIMs. — Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "Enter the Sin Bin: What It's Like to Be Sent to 'Adult Timeout' in the NHL," 17 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'melee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for melee
melee
noun
English Language Learners Definition of melee
See the full definition for melee in the English Language Learners Dictionary
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on melee
What made you want to look up melee? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?
-
- Which came first?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
-
Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?
Which word entered the English language first?
Take the quiz -
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quiz -
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
Take the quiz -
Word Winder's CrossWinder
Play the game
Share melee
Resources for melee