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
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
The change had come following years of youth disturbances, including major brawls and nearby shootings.
—Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
There are five consecutive brawls in the final two minutes, including one involving both goalies.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
This is a grand adventure and cracking good mystery awash with gaslighting, brawls, murders, red herrings and a secret society.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
And Escobar recalled how the Royals had a series of brawls with opponents in the 2015 season.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Madison Square Garden has issued a statement warning that anyone fighting at the arena could face a lifetime ban after multiple brawls broke out during an event on Friday.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
So popular were the show's brawls that Springer's head of security, Steve Wilkos, became a celebrity unto himself, resulting in his own talk show that's currently in its 19th season.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
After Fatu cost Rhodes the WWE Championship by first attacking McIntyre—then turning his attention to Cody—Rhodes and Fatu have been involved in pull-apart brawls and most recently an excellent face-to-face segment.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
The Avs and Stars haven’t had games devolve into all-out brawls like Tampa Bay and Florida have.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
The change had come following years of youth disturbances, including major brawls and nearby shootings.
—Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
There are five consecutive brawls in the final two minutes, including one involving both goalies.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
This is a grand adventure and cracking good mystery awash with gaslighting, brawls, murders, red herrings and a secret society.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
And Escobar recalled how the Royals had a series of brawls with opponents in the 2015 season.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Madison Square Garden has issued a statement warning that anyone fighting at the arena could face a lifetime ban after multiple brawls broke out during an event on Friday.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
So popular were the show's brawls that Springer's head of security, Steve Wilkos, became a celebrity unto himself, resulting in his own talk show that's currently in its 19th season.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
After Fatu cost Rhodes the WWE Championship by first attacking McIntyre—then turning his attention to Cody—Rhodes and Fatu have been involved in pull-apart brawls and most recently an excellent face-to-face segment.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 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
-
Videos from the scene showed clashes and even a man with a gun in one town.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In Dallas, clashes erupted between No Kings marchers and counter-protesters.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Multiple defendants, however, appeared to have been hurt in the altercations.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Hearing protection is recommended, especially for young children and those sensitive to loud noises.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
-
These noises could have aided with communication, helping the animals sync up for the birthing effort.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Blaydes fights Josh Hokit on the main card of UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of fighting fire with fire, Lamont fights fire with facts.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With billions of dollars at stake, the conflicts manifest in sharp skirmishes in the Legislature, in courts and in the ballot measure arena.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In a dangerous escalation from cross-border skirmishes, Pakistan launched air strikes at the end of February, targeting major cities including Kabul.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Two of the biggest roars of the game came at halftime, incidentally.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Could Jacob Bridgeman hear the roars for Rory McIlroy’s 30-foot make and still finish?—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 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 3 Apr. 2026.
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