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
Completing the quartet is Justin Withers’ Demetrius, who unleashes his comic chops during a hilarious donnybrook.
—
Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donnybrook
Noun
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Investigators aren't saying if there's a connection between Henderson's death and brawls at the bar.—
Ross Guidotti,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The reminder didn’t dissuade at least five park visitors from participating in a 2023 brawl that was captured on video, showing a woman and man throwing punches at each other and wrestling before others joined in.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Los Angeles Police Department could not immediately provide details of his arrest, but NBC4 reported that Sutherland allegedly got into an altercation with a ride-hailing driver, and was booked on suspicion of criminal threats.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
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Kiefer Sutherland was arrested in Los Angeles on Monday after an alleged altercation with a ride-share driver.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Opening arguments in a Stanford felony vandalism case began Friday amid sharp disputes over whether political views tied to Israel’s war in Gaza should factor into the trial — an issue that has shaped the case from its earliest stages.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Police had initially said the shooting involved a family dispute but gave no specific details.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But by agreeing to disagree on these ideological quarrels, negotiators could manage to find ways to prevent them from triggering unnecessary crises.—
Mohammad Javad Zarif,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Dec. 2025
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Police said the quarrel escalated when a 39-year-old man pulled out a gun and shot the victim twice.—
Natalie McMillan,
CBS News,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Parking problems are causing controversy in Elk Grove.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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Over the past year, CBS has experienced several controversies and new ownership that led to new leadership, which have some critics accusing the network of losing its credibility.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Or one who dismissed concerns from Black New Yorkers by citing disagreements with African leaders.—
David Moore,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Tommy has opposed the offshore well from the start — a gamble with only a 10% chance of success — and the disagreement has long strained his relationship with Cami.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Davisboro, Georgia Police Chief Leondus Dixon told CBS News a fight broke out among inmates during visitation hours at Washington State Prison in Davisboro.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Sheffey is jumping in the fight.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Kathleen Hartnett of Cooley LLP, one of the groups that filed the lawsuit, will present arguments on behalf of Hecox, the American Civil Liberties Union told the Statesman.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Jan. 2026
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The two attorneys made a slew of arguments to defend their position, including that the pair of lawmakers did not have legal standing to bring a suit related to their official duties in the first place.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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