as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
the police had to break up an affray that started between fans of the opposing teams
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affray
Although Stokes was fully acquitted of affray, the incident had a deep effect on him and was a stop-the-clock moment in his career.
—
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Two 13-year-old boys were charged with assault and battery by means of a deadly weapon (shod foot), affray, and resisting arrest, police said.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
On Tuesday — nearly two months after the incident — Anne Arundel County police arrested 26-year-old Trevor Taylor of Glen Burnie, Md., on charges of manslaughter, second-degree assault, affray and disorderly conduct.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 21 July 2023
Garrett Trevor Taylor, 26, has been charged with manslaughter, three counts of second-degree assault, affray and disorderly conduct, according to a news release by police.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 20 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for affray
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Two 13-year-old boys were charged with assault and battery by means of a deadly weapon (shod foot), affray, and resisting arrest, police said.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
On Tuesday — nearly two months after the incident — Anne Arundel County police arrested 26-year-old Trevor Taylor of Glen Burnie, Md., on charges of manslaughter, second-degree assault, affray and disorderly conduct.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 21 July 2023
Garrett Trevor Taylor, 26, has been charged with manslaughter, three counts of second-degree assault, affray and disorderly conduct, according to a news release by police.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 20 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for affray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affray
Noun
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Same for a trip to a country bar, where Chris picks up the dance moves insanely quickly and Brax starts a window-crashing brawl.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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With Sam’s help, the team learns that a military contractor has been committing war crimes (and murdering to cover it up), which launches a massive brawl aboard a ship full of very bad Russians.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Panthers center Sam Bennett, who had a contentious altercation with Marchand in Round 2 of the playoffs last year, said Marchand’s first message after being added to the team group chat was a chirp.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
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The footage shows an altercation between Perez and a man that officials say lasted for about 15 minutes before officers arrived on the scene.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The following day, however, Mercury will meet Mars in a stubborn square, triggering a clash between the need for practicality and discernment versus the desire to express oneself boldly and with pride.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
1 May 2025
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India has been a nuclear power for over 50 years, possessing an arsenal that is publicly clandestine but capable in warfare—notably against its neighboring country, Pakistan, amid their decades-long clash over Kashmir.—
Nick Mordowanec
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affray. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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