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
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Recent Examples of brawl
Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
One of the defendant’s friends had a conversation with Velasquez that erupted into a brawl before the defendant charged at the victim and opened fire, the prosecutor said.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 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
In 2022, two police officers and a mall security guard suffered minor injuries in the middle of a large brawl involving minors between 12 and 17 years old.
—Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
One of the defendant’s friends had a conversation with Velasquez that erupted into a brawl before the defendant charged at the victim and opened fire, the prosecutor said.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 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
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In some cases, the panel couldn’t even identify ICE or Border Patrol agents involved in high-profile clashes.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The group of cyclists, who fell after the clash, collided into the side of the SUV and fell onto the pavement.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
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At 20, he was arrested after a routine traffic stop turned into a violent altercation with police.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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The altercation between Avdija and Castle put an end to a frustrating day for the Trail Blazers, who lost Game 4 by 21 points after holding a 17-point lead at halftime.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pharoah won the Triple Crown in 2015, breaking a then 37-year-old hex that created a near cathartic roar at Belmont Park.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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Favorites by Diana Ross and Beyoncé are held up to the roar of the crowd before pixie dust is released from the musical’s original Broadway cast album.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Rollins and Breakker bickered over who was responsible for Breakker’s success.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The two get to bickering about her terrible track record, with Dennis hilariously failing to realize that this accusation includes him among the questionable men.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Karlsson joined Muse and Crosby in his amazement after being sent off despite little to do with the melee.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
There was a bunch of melees on the ice today.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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By 2009, Cage was facing serious financial strain, including a dispute with the IRS over $6 million in unpaid taxes.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
The statement notably excludes Anthropic, which has been in dispute with the Pentagon over guardrails for how the military could use its artificial intelligence tools.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Unions have aggressively answered complaints about data centers in ways that executives at tech giants and the development firms rarely do, unafraid to bluntly confront concerns about energy and water shortages, rising electric and water bills, or noise and quality-of-life objections.—
Marc Levy,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
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The developer doesn’t expect the facility to create noise, odor or light pollution that would bother neighbors.—
Sofi Zeman
May 2,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
Verb
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At that point, the White House needs approval from the legislative branch to continue fighting, according to the War Powers Resolution, a law aimed at reasserting Congress’ constitutional role of declaring war.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 May 2026
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Dyson Daniels and Mitchell Robinson were ejected after fighting following a pair of free throws from Anunoby that gave the Knicks a 50-point lead in the second quarter.—
Maura Carey,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawl. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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