1
as in clash
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
they were thrown out of the party after starting a brawl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the student drama society's decision to put on the controversial play prompted a brawl at the school board meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in roar
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound
we could hear the brawl of the river rapids ahead of us before we could actually see them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
the Wilsons were always loudly brawling, and the neighbors were always shutting their windows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of brawl
Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Then came the franchise-changing Malice in the Palace brawl in November 2004.
—Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Becky and Lyra inevitably brawled, and Lyra got the better of Lynch.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawl
Noun
Another mentions an altercation that began as an argument in a tavern, then escalated to a mass street brawl involving blades and battle-axes.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Then came the franchise-changing Malice in the Palace brawl in November 2004.
—Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Verb
Rollins followed him there and the two brawled on top of the cage.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Becky and Lyra inevitably brawled, and Lyra got the better of Lynch.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawl
Noun
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India, the fanatical cricket country, against England, the founding fathers of the game, will be a clash of styles.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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The clash between the two drivers was likely carried forward from the previous race in Detroit, where McLaughlin crashed into Siegel from behind, causing him to get knocked out of the race.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Noun
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Santana declined to discuss specifics of what prompted the altercation.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2025
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Santana said the altercation took place somewhere around the seventh inning.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Noun
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The Dino up for sale is a 246 GTS variant with a removable roof panel for when the sun is out and the driver wants to really hear the roar of its engine.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
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Advertisement Read more: How Netanyahu Pushed Trump Toward War That day, a shepherd posted cell phone footage of an Israeli C-130 low in the sky over Syria, sheep bells clanking over the roar of the engines.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
19 June 2025
Verb
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As the family begins bickering, Alice/Nicola excuses herself from the table.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
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Mileage will also vary for the bickering chemistry between stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman, though deft supporting turns inject welcome flashes of unpredictability into this mostly paint-by-numbers affair.—
Todd Gilchrist,
Variety,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Scores of cops responding to a 911 call about a disorderly group swarmed in to break up the wild melee and arrested about 17 boys, officials said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
24 June 2025
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In the melee, second base ump Kellen Levy fell backward to the ground.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Noun
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The simmering dispute comes as protesters showed up at Dodger Stadium on Thursday to decry Dodgers’ silence amidst immigration raids and unrest in Los Angeles.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
21 June 2025
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News to Know Wisconsin lawsuit accuses Miami of tampering In the latest legal dispute amid the changing landscape of college sports, the University of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit against the University of Miami yesterday for allegedly tampering with a football player.—
and Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
Noun
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Yufei Long, who hails from Shenzhen, China and came to the US to play top-level Tennis, also made some noise here, qualifying and then taking out No. 21 Blatt and No. 14 Schaefer before stretching No.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Walden injected a bit of noise into his playing style with the group, citing guitarists J Mascis, Thurston Moore, and Jimi Hendrix as influences.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
23 June 2025
Verb
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The city argued the policy was confidential, and would interfere with the department’s ability to fight crime.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 June 2025
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As most skin care buffs know, hyaluronic acid is a holy grail humectant used in skin care and makeup to retain moisture, retain elasticity, and fight aging.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawl. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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