1
as in clashes
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 altercations
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 noises
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 fights
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 brawls
Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 June 2026
Kennywood, a nearly 130-year-old amusement park outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is tightening its summer chaperon policy as parks around the country experience violent brawls and unruly teen crowds heading into the heart of the season.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
The beach takeovers typically include brawls and underage drinking.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
Bond's relative lack of experience and finesse also feeds into the chaos of all-out brawls.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026
Roma won the derby against Lazio 2-0, but there were brawls between the players after each of the goals.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
That kicked off 240-character brawls with other scientists who insisted that flu posed a greater risk than COVID-19.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Viral videos of onboard brawls contributed to the airline’s notoriety.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Malema heads the Economic Freedom Fighters, which advocates for the expropriation of mines, banks and land, and is notorious for starting brawls in parliament.
—Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
Such brawls can ignite without warning, and are among the reasons humans are forbidden by county law to get within 50 feet of the horses.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 June 2026
Kennywood, a nearly 130-year-old amusement park outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is tightening its summer chaperon policy as parks around the country experience violent brawls and unruly teen crowds heading into the heart of the season.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
The beach takeovers typically include brawls and underage drinking.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
Bond's relative lack of experience and finesse also feeds into the chaos of all-out brawls.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026
Roma won the derby against Lazio 2-0, but there were brawls between the players after each of the goals.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
That kicked off 240-character brawls with other scientists who insisted that flu posed a greater risk than COVID-19.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Viral videos of onboard brawls contributed to the airline’s notoriety.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Malema heads the Economic Freedom Fighters, which advocates for the expropriation of mines, banks and land, and is notorious for starting brawls in parliament.
—Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
As the man brawls with his in-laws, the boy is caught between two worlds, of male rage and female subjection.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawls
Noun
-
Social interactions may stir up complicated feelings when the Libra moon clashes with Mercury.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
-
Enter Maddie’s Secret, Early’s directorial debut, which follows a chef at GourMaybe Test Kitchen whose rising place in the food-influencer world clashes with her lifelong struggle with bulimia.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Over the last few months, Taylor has been embroiled in a series of legal battles with Mortensen, first beginning in February with a pair of investigations by Utah police departments into allegations each made that the other acted violently during altercations that month.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
-
Durso alleged that Valle was upset after the previous altercations and lost his cool when his friend’s vehicle was damaged by the crowd of youths who rocked and shook the vehicle Valle and his friends arrived in.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The new trains have open gangways, allowing riders and police to walk from one end to the other, and have microphones strategically located to alert officials to loud noises that may indicate a need for security intervention.—
Sara Gregory,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
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According to George Shaw, director of systems at Precision Garage Door Service, any unusual, new, or excessive noises your garage door makes during operation are red flags.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The East Wing’s demolition and 999-seat ballroom — now projected at $600 million — are fueling legal, ethical and security fights over who pays and what protections are truly needed.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Rizos Curls’ 6-in-1 Styling Cream is a lightweight multitasker that defines curls, fights frizz, provides flexible hold, and offers heat protection.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
19 June 2026
Noun
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While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.—
Gabriel Sama,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
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Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.—
,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
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In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Those whispers turned into roars in the bottom of the fifth inning when PCA sent a screamer down the first-base line and cruised into second for a double.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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On Saturday, the roars and applause of Ballantyne Ridge staff, friends and family members filled Bojangles Coliseum as 279 students walked the stage as part of the high school’s first graduating class, adding to the 22 graduates who finished mid-year.—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The pope, played by Samora la Perdida, is a mincing oaf who bickers with Galas about the value of translating Wagner.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brawls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawls. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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