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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of brawl
Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Naz Reid nearly escalated the exchange into a brawl, but the parties were ultimately separated enough to avoid ejections.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
On April 3, after UCLA defeated University of Texas in the Final Four, Close apologized to the fans in an ESPN interview about how the two teams brawled over each point.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brawl
Noun
The vigilante gets to Tappen and barricades the two of them in a hospital room, where a vicious brawl ensues.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Naz Reid nearly escalated the exchange into a brawl, but the parties were ultimately separated enough to avoid ejections.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Verb
Wait, goaltender Igor Shesterkin — who brawled with New Jersey’s Jacob Markström last week — has boxing coaches?
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
On April 3, after UCLA defeated University of Texas in the Final Four, Close apologized to the fans in an ESPN interview about how the two teams brawled over each point.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawl
Noun
-
What started as a simple explanation about unplugging on flights quickly turned into a comedic clash of generations when Sherry Cola’s choice of words left Harrison Ford out of the loop.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
Despite a ceasefire between the pair, there have been clashes this week in the strait, with US forces carrying out air strikes on two empty Iranian oil tankers.—
Ellen Milligan,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Video footage appeared to show Pretti recording the agents on his phone before a physical altercation began.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
During the altercation, police said the male victim produced a firearm and fired a single round.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Clark and her teammates walked down the stairs and through the crowd to the court for player introductions with the loudest roar, naturally, reserved for Clark.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
Resident colobus monkeys’ distinctly guttural roars serve as singular natural alarms at daybreak, when an inspired array of adventures await.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Since then, showrunner Tim Minear and the rest of the writers have played up the actors' natural chemistry, playing into both the characters' bickering dynamic and their willingness to do anything, including risking their lives, for one another.—
Sabienna Bowman,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
The video went viral, and the two eventually bickered about it on social media later Sunday night.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Macon Davis told the Kansas City Star that Hardy was shot while leaving the concert in a vehicle when a melee broke out.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
Seconds later, Chimaev launched a kick that sparked a massive melee.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
When Magyar emerged as an opposition figure, their disputes became a recurring story in the tabloids.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
The dispute, which has spanned three mayoral administrations going back to at least 2021, has now hit a breaking point.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Surveying the space they’re tasked with protecting, the two men grouse about the incessant noise of FedEx workers packing up storefronts on rolling large cardboard boxes toward the exits.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
John Harbaugh looked up as the noise built to a crescendo on Saturday.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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In one scene in the novel, a black ram named Othello, who lives in misery in a carnival, forced to fight dogs, is visited in his pen by a strange ram bearing advice.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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Trump has gone back and forth over whether the war will end, at times expressing optimism and at other times saying Russia and Ukraine should be left to fight it out to the bitter end.—
Darlene Superville,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawl. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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