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

Eaton and Contreras were both issued suspensions stemming from last week’s benches-clearing brawl involving the Washington Nationals. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 July 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 conflict that ensues is startling in the intensity of its violence, as bodies brawl and break in the mud, flaming torches are taken to the face, and red-hot blades are seared into flesh. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 June 2026

In five years, Keanu Reaves will be brawling like this. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026