Synonyms of brawl

brawl 1 of 2

noun

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

• clash
• altercation
• melee
• skirmish
• affray
• rough-and-tumble
• fracas
• ruckus
• row
• fray
• scuffle
• broil
• ruction
• fisticuffs
• tussle
• donnybrook
• free-for-all
• battle
• dispute
• argument
• scrimmage
• spat
• quarrel
• contest
• conflict
• combat
• squabble
• horseplay
• struggle
• tiff
• roughhousing
• scrap
• wrangle
• hassle
• handgrips
• kickup

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

• altercation
• dispute
• quarrel
• fight
• controversy
• disagreement
• bicker
• argument
• skirmish
• row
• spat
• squabble
• misunderstanding
• feud
• disputation
• imbroglio
• set-to
• tiff
• falling-out
• clash
• debate
• donnybrook
• contretemps
• battle royal
• wrangle
• cross fire
• kickup
• tussle
• rhubarb
• argy-bargy
• run-in
• argle-bargle
• tangle
• scrap
• difference
• protest
• attack
• hassle
• fisticuffs
• melee
• vendetta
• logomachy
• catfight
• contention
• dissension
• protestation
• objection
• affray
• fracas
• free-for-all
• fuss
• fray

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

• roar
• noise
• rattle
• chatter
• commotion
• racket
• din
• clatter
• cacophony
• clamor
• discordance
• blare
• bang
• bluster
• bruit
• babel
• discord
• clangor
• decibel(s)
• bowwow
• katzenjammer
• dissonance
• rumpus
• boom
• hubbub
• uproar
• tumult
• furor
• crash
• blast
• hullabaloo
• hurly-burly
• clap
• jangle
• crack

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• still
• silence
• quiet
• stillness
• lull
• calm
• hush
• silentness
• serenity
• quietude
• tranquility

brawl

2 of 2

verb

ˈbrȯl 

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

• bicker
• fight
• argue
• spat
• quarrel
• clash
• squabble
• dispute
• debate
• row
• wrangle
• fall out
• scrap
• tiff
• jar
• hassle
• quibble
• altercate
• controvert
• discuss
• contest
• mix it up
• lock horns
• brabble
• argufy
• butt heads
• bandy words
• challenge
• dare
• protest
• contend
• tangle
• object
• kick
• defy
• fuss
• cavil
• nitpick
• consider

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• get along
• coexist
• agree
• accept
• concur
• consent
• assent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of brawl

Noun

Bickel was the blueliner who moved up to take the faceoff against now-Wild analyst Ryan Carter in a famous Devils-Rangers line brawl 14 years ago. — Michael Russo, New York Times, 29 June 2026

City officials have been eager to crack down on the area’s rowdy nightlife scene, especially after a shooting in December and a Spring Break brawl captured on social media. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Verb

The Death Riders and Don Callis Family brawled throughout the final stages of the match. — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 4 June 2026

More than 13,000 smoke-damage claims have been filed, though many of those have yet to be resolved as homeowners and insurers brawl over what is and isn’t covered. — Jason Henry, Daily News, 31 May 2026