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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of donnybrook
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
There were, however, the makings of a donnybrook.
—Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
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
There were, however, the makings of a donnybrook.
—Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donnybrook
Noun
-
The hostilities began when Trump lashed out at Musk's criticism of the Republican tax-cut and spending bill, and quickly escalated into an all-out online brawl on Trump's Truth Social and Musk's X, with prominent businessmen, analysts and political names weighing in on the fight.—
Anniek Bao,Dylan Butts,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
-
The overwhelming majority of Republicans stand behind President Donald Trump over Elon Musk, according to new polling, which comes as the public feud between the two billionaires erupted into an all-out brawl.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
The jail altercation has since escalated into a wider conflict between the Sheriff’s Office and the Broward State Attorney’s Office.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
This wasn’t the first altercation to take place at one of Beyoncé’s recent shows.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Boys lacrosse In a wild Div. 4 round of 16 clash, host Littleton received a goal from Zach Milner with five seconds remaining to list the Tigers to a thrilling 13-12 victory over host Lynnfield.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2025
-
This clash has had tangible repercussions: Tesla’s stock experienced a significant drop, erasing over $150 billion in market value, while Trump Media saw a decline of approximately $500 million.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Officials from the United States and China met in London to talk about a range of different disputes that are separating them.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
-
Phan was convicted of shooting up a high school graduation party after a dispute, killing an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old.—
Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Paramount Pictures Cohen et al. give a shoutout in their introduction to Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, specifically the longstanding quarrel between the people of Lilliput and Blefuscu on the best orientation for cracking an egg.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2025
-
The whole saga, with Zelenskyy risking U.S. support through his quarrel with Trump before ultimately backing down, demonstrates how unprepared the Ukrainian leader was to engage with the new administration.—
Evan Nierman,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
However, California is far from the only state that saw its girls' track and field championships overshadowed by trans athlete controversy.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
-
Salgado’s pictures were also freighted with their fair share of controversy.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
The suit recounts numerous comments made by Trump and the White House attacking PBS’ content, to underscore the point that the defunding is motivated by disagreement over speech.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
30 May 2025
-
The question – at the center of disagreements over transgender athletes’ participation in sports – has echoed from high school running tracks to Olympic arenas as lawmakers and sports bodies face intense pressure to weigh in on a debate over what fair play looks like.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
This is not the first time a fight has broken out at a Disney park.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
3 June 2025
-
Fernandez’s defense attorney said a fight had broken out, and the dad ran across the street to check it out when his son ran after him and was hit.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share