1
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
a dozen people were arrested after the donnybrook at the stadium
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2
as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the kind of hot-button issue that inevitably creates a donnybrook in the halls of the statehouse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of donnybrook
Saturday’s donnybrook at the Horseshoe may not have scared up the massive numbers that last year’s Ohio State-Michigan showdown delivered, but Fox’s broadcast of the 120th installment of The Game still ranks as the college football season’s second-biggest TV draw.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Once, according to a story pitcher George Brunet told Sports Illustrated, a manager’s argument with an umpire turned into an all-out donnybrook involving players and fans and photographers and reporters, too.
—Rustin Dodd, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024
But money has settled previous donnybrooks over new technologies.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
The donnybrook between Disney and Ron DeSantis keeps escalating, and what should be a dispute over corporate welfare has devolved into an unfortunate political brawl that both could lose.
—The Editorial Board, wsj.com, 27 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Once, according to a story pitcher George Brunet told Sports Illustrated, a manager’s argument with an umpire turned into an all-out donnybrook involving players and fans and photographers and reporters, too.
—Rustin Dodd, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024
But money has settled previous donnybrooks over new technologies.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
The donnybrook between Disney and Ron DeSantis keeps escalating, and what should be a dispute over corporate welfare has devolved into an unfortunate political brawl that both could lose.
—The Editorial Board, wsj.com, 27 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donnybrook
Noun
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The votes follow a recent street brawl that sparked concerns about crime in the city.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
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One of the victims of a viral brawl that happened in Cincinnati July 26 says she's been forced into hiding after the incident that left her severely injured.—
Adam Sabes , Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The department did not say how many shots were fired during the altercation.—
Craig Shoup,
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal,
1 Aug. 2025
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The victim had told police that there had been an altercation earlier in the day that involved her son, and that she had been invited to speak with the family about the earlier incident, the report states.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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However, those same clashes can be transformed into deeper connections with a little effort and understanding.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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When it has been used, the stealth fighter has generally remained far away from frontline clashes, intelligence reports from the British government indicated in early 2023.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The notice comes in the midst of a broader legal dispute between Wilson and The Deb's producers.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Peter was working on Chime’s internal tools for managing customer support and disputes.—
Jeff Kauflin,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Harvard’s quarrel with Trump is the extreme example: in March, the administration revoked the university’s ability to grant travel visas, though Harvard’s deal with the University of Toronto may circumvent this issue for now.—
Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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The two quarrel over the Ukrainian leader’s outfit before trading jabs in the air with Trump firing a water gun at the Ukrainian president.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Super Micro has faced significant controversy over the past year, including allegations of accounting irregularities, delays in SEC filings, and scrutiny from short-sellers.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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The controversy kicked off in June when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced its plans to resume using diquat and other herbicides to combat the spread of invasive hydrilla along the river.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Lose your only Harmonizer, and a small disagreement can turn into a productivity-killing feud.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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What started as a financial disagreement quickly turned into a tense family standoff.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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He was arrested three days after the fights and has been detained at the Hamilton County Justice Center.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
14 Aug. 2025
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Instead, dozens of weekly fight nights and four big events a year will be freely available to all Paramount Plus subscribers.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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