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

These days, oversight hearings have degenerated into partisan brawls. — David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

Mundy pointed out action scenes in previous episodes provided plenty of pyrotechnics, including a climactic brawl between Hal and John in Episode 5. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026

Verb

Well, maybe everyone except for the fans escorted out of the right-field bleachers after brawling, another clip that went viral on social media. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Massive fights erupted at the Wisconsin State Fair during its chaotic closing hours Sunday, with viral video showing people in crowds throwing punches and brawling as police moved in to break up the mayhem. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026