fistfight

noun

Definition of fistfightnext
as in fisticuffs

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar 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 fistfight In Milan, Italy, a fistfight erupted. — ABC News, 18 May 2026 The series ends with Dean and Hunter – the Briar hockey new starting line – in a fistfight, paving the way for Season 2 (which has already been green-lit). — Jennifer McClellan, USA Today, 17 May 2026 Bringing a branding iron to a fistfight? — William Earl, Variety, 15 May 2026 Garcia left the Family Express, but then soon returned and a fistfight began with the man, who was arguing with Garcia’s relative. — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fistfight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fistfight
  1. slugfest
  2. confrontation
  3. blows
  4. punch-up
  5. melee
  6. duel
  7. brawl
  8. punch-out
Noun
  • Sweden loses key piece The first half was a sloppy slugfest as both teams tried to use their physicality to assume control.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026
  • The Republican race for governor between Rick Jackson and Burt Jones has been nothing short of a slugfest.
    — Shannon McCaffrey, AJC.com, 10 June 2026
Definition of slugfest
Noun
  • On Memorial Day, 1927, when Fred was twenty-one, he was arrested for refusing to disperse during a violent confrontation between police and a band of white-hooded Klansmen in Queens; he was released shortly after.
    — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Tyrell Scott was stabbed in the chest during a confrontation on Riverdale Ave.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of confrontation
Noun
  • After the dustups, the offense went from taking blows from the defense to delivering some of its own.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
  • During the less than a minute-long elevator ride, the duo trading blows, according to the video.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of blows
Noun
  • About deluded coaches and philandering teammates and practice-field punch-ups.
    — Leander Schaerlaeckens June 8, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • Among them are Neeson as a Great Gatsby-esque type who puts Declan in the hospital after a punch-up and Cleese as a priest who also doubles as the Grim Reaper.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 11 May 2026
Definition of punch-up
Noun
  • Paredes, who had already received a yellow card in the game, was booked again for his part in the melee and was shown a red card.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
  • To his credit, Garcia didn’t react, but the incident led to another melee.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of melee
Noun
  • Rookie right-hander Walbert Ureña won the duel against Milwaukee Brewers sensation Jacob Misiorowski in the Angels’ 3-0 victory on Sunday afternoon.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Cherry went 74 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Racing Louisville, recording four defensive clearances and winning three of her four aerial duels as Angel City lost for the first time in four games.
    — Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 31 July 2026
Definition of duel
Noun
  • Republicans are relishing the long Democratic brawl, while Democrats feel confident about holding on to Michigan.
    — Maham Javaid, NPR, 27 July 2026
  • One of the first incidents that year was a brawl involving about 50 juveniles, police at the time said, with a gunshot heard later that night, according to previous Sacramento Bee reporting.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of brawl
Noun
  • Most people aren’t focused on Advent calendars right now — those chocolates hidden under perforated punch-outs to celebrate each day of the season.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
  • During the portion of Thursday’s practice open to reporters, the Patriots practiced punch-out drills directly in front of reporters.
    — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Definition of punch-out

Browse Nearby Words

fisted
fistfight
fistfights
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fistfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fistfight. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All