1
as in brawls
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 altercations
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donnybrooks
Noun
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So popular were the show's brawls that Springer's head of security, Steve Wilkos, became a celebrity unto himself, resulting in his own talk show that's currently in its 19th season.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026 -
After Fatu cost Rhodes the WWE Championship by first attacking McIntyre—then turning his attention to Cody—Rhodes and Fatu have been involved in pull-apart brawls and most recently an excellent face-to-face segment.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The lawsuit claims that Metcalf had a history of being involved in altercations and alleges that Ford Field should have known about Metcalf's history and failed to protect Kennedy.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
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Clark warned him against becoming involved in any physical altercations.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.—
JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Doing so would delay response times to medical emergencies, fights, suicide attempts and fires.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
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Most of Szalay’s fights end by decision, and neither man has ever been finished by strikes.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The episode has punctured Preckwinkle’s reputation for managerial skill — a primary reason this page has endorsed her in previous elections despite some disagreements with other aspects of her record.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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Trump has demanded a resolution to the two countries’ long-standing disagreements about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Some of the quarrels that divided Minneapolis city leaders only a few weeks ago, over policing or Gaza or the budget, have faded as people have come together to oppose ICE.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
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Washington’s choice prioritized American independence over European quarrels.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Despite earlier controversies, alumni and supporters rallied, leading to over 22,000 gifts in a six-week period.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
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His reflections on the controversies and critical snubbings that greeted movies that have since become consensus masterpieces are nuanced without descending into false modesty.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Other Republicans’ arguments aren’t exactly working on him.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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Jump said the legal team is discussing whether to file an appeal to include the students’ other two arguments, but is looking forward to the discovery stage of the lawsuit.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Donnybrooks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrooks. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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