as in bickering
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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Recent Examples of brawling
In five years, Keanu Reaves will be brawling like this.
—
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Judo doesn’t look like brawling.
—Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Despite the ferocious domestic rivalries, the Tartan Army is considered among the world’s friendliest football fans, known for singing and mingling instead of brawling (even if only while their national team is playing).
—Laura Dannen Redman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
This game is the ultimate in brawling adventure.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
And in 2025, the Bearista cup caused a craze, with customers lining up overnight and, in some cases, brawling over it.
—Nick El Hajj, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Republicans have a rare, if slim, shot at winning the governor’s mansion in deep blue California — but risk blowing it if they’re divided and brawling when voters receive their ballots in early May.
—Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 2026
Massive crowds were packed shoulder-to-shoulder, dancing wildly, brawling and turning the shoreline into a scene of disorder right before multiple gunshots sent thousands sprinting in panic.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Harkening back to the league’s glory days, back when the big men battles were so brawling the conference temporarily went to six fouls, Ejiofor scored 18 points, yanked down nine rebounds and swatted six blocks.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Mar. 2026
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Judo doesn’t look like brawling.
—Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Despite the ferocious domestic rivalries, the Tartan Army is considered among the world’s friendliest football fans, known for singing and mingling instead of brawling (even if only while their national team is playing).
—Laura Dannen Redman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
This game is the ultimate in brawling adventure.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
And in 2025, the Bearista cup caused a craze, with customers lining up overnight and, in some cases, brawling over it.
—Nick El Hajj, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Republicans have a rare, if slim, shot at winning the governor’s mansion in deep blue California — but risk blowing it if they’re divided and brawling when voters receive their ballots in early May.
—Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 2026
Massive crowds were packed shoulder-to-shoulder, dancing wildly, brawling and turning the shoreline into a scene of disorder right before multiple gunshots sent thousands sprinting in panic.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Harkening back to the league’s glory days, back when the big men battles were so brawling the conference temporarily went to six fouls, Ejiofor scored 18 points, yanked down nine rebounds and swatted six blocks.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawling
Verb
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An Auburn University student missing in Japan for nearly a week had set off alone during a family vacation after his family was bickering, his parents said Thursday.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
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The emotional distress may have stemmed from the family's extended trip together and bickering, his mother told USA TODAY on June 3.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Feehan kept fighting as Mordas capped his Shamrocks career with a touchdown pass to Kaden Baltazar on the final play of the game.—
Matt Roy,
Boston Herald,
7 Dec. 2025
-
The story is about a ski area that wants to expand and the locals who are fighting change.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
6 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Thousands of supporters rallied behind Shalom Wildlife Zoo after neighbors filed a lawsuit arguing its operations weren't allowed on land meant for agriculture.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
11 Dec. 2025
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Mangione's attorneys are arguing that evidence recovered on the day of his arrest — including a magazine, a gun, a silencer and a notebook of Mangione's writings — should not be admissible in his state trial.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The family is reportedly quarreling over Princess Beatrice and Eugenie’s royal roles after their father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had his titles taken away.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
13 Nov. 2025
-
Alarmed, Heather immediately led a search effort to find the mother of five, who was last seen at her family’s home after reportedly quarreling with her husband.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brawling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawling. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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