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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of donnybrook
Of course, that’s exactly what Governor Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu and the developer want; A knockdown, drag out, talk radio donnybrook over a shelter being shoehorned into a tiny former nursing home nestled among a family neighborhood in the Holy Name parish.
—
Lou Murray, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
In short, this super-sized donnybrook does not seem likely to quiet down anytime soon.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 7 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Lou Murray, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
In short, this super-sized donnybrook does not seem likely to quiet down anytime soon.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 7 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donnybrook
Noun
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Remember the legal brawl CEO Elon Musk faced over his $56 billion moonshot pay package at Tesla?—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
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Shia LaBeouf pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of simple battery and was sentenced to probation for a Mardi Gras brawl in New Orleans.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
3 June 2026
Noun
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The Grammy winner’s Ring camera caught the altercation when her private security intervened and tried to get Applegate to leave.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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The altercation allegedly led to a brief fight in which the granddaughter is accused of pulling on one of the kids' hair before being separated.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Noun
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In 2023, Archer settled intellectual property disputes with Boeing and its air taxi unit Wisk, and signed an agreement to collaborate on autonomous tech, and invested in the air taxi maker.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
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Carney acknowledged that while the US and Canada have had disputes, the countries have always worked through them, and that a more independent Canada makes the country a better ally.—
Reuters May 28,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Noun
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In May 2024, Jose Siri tried swinging at Uribe during a dugout-clearing quarrel.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
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What was a calm discussion turned into a quarrel, and the new director of the facility came out to see what was going on.—
Amer Matar,
The Dial,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Mullin is keeping them Noem had a host of controversies before her ouster.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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The act has caused controversy.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
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All this negative verbiage stems from disagreements over contracts with Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach and what the sheriff agreed to do.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
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As political disagreements have splintered the nation, Americans of every political persuasion have raised the flag to display pride or protest.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Attorneys say Gray intervened in fight Attorneys claim Gray was attempting to break up a fight when Tarver pulled out a gun and shot him.—
Erin Jones,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
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For Ritter, the elevated bar is almost beside the point, because the SpaceX grants differ fundamentally from the Tesla fight.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Noun
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On the night of May 4, Marenco went into the woman’s room and the argument started over rent money.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
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In New Providence, this new-construction villa makes its argument through finish as much as frontage.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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