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
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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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This episode includes the infamous knock-down-drag-out brawl in the office that ended their partnership and their friendship.—
Lisa DePaulo,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
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One specimen examined by Brochu’s team displayed multiple, partially healed jaw injuries indicative of a brawl with a fellow ambush predator.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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During the altercation, police say one fatal shot was fired into the victim's stomach.—
Eric Mack,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
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Then, Smith and the Jets’ relationship soured for good when Smith suffered a broken jaw in a locker room altercation with teammate IK Enemkpali in August of 2015.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What will become of this nursery in the wild in the next hundred years, or thousand, is the crux of a scientific and policy dispute.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
In the video, a group of young teens appeared to be in a verbal dispute before a physical altercation quickly escalated between two girls.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Two men were hospitalized early Sunday after a quarrel turned into a shootout on the 79th Street Red Line platform along the Dan Ryan Expressway.—
Dylan Olsen,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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Herro posted a photo of that autographed Durant jersey on his Instagram on Sunday, acknowledging his respect for Durant hours after Saturday’s quarrel.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Khimberly’s death brings additional scrutiny to LAUSD at a time when the district is already entangled in other controversies.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Regardless of the controversy, related technologies are rapidly entering industrial deployment.—
,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Despite the ongoing disagreements, both sides say continuing conversations is important.—
Tori Mason,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
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Over the years, my sisters and I have struggled through clashing personalities, intense disagreements and wonky power dynamics.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But in this fight, the Americans are the only ones who use Tomahawks, and the evidence is pointing toward that specific missile.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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In one episode, the crew of the Red Dwarf visits an Earth on which time moves backwards, culminating in a slapstick reverse Wild West-style bar fight that sees teeth reappear in mouths, windows reassemble, and chairs unbreak over heads.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The defense did not call witnesses during the trial, instead focusing on making their case through cross-examination of prosecution witnesses and closing arguments.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
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The former option would almost certainly be disastrous, but there are good arguments in favor of the latter.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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