1
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
the police broke up the fracas in the bar and threw both combatants in the lockup
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
police preparing for any fracas that might follow the soccer game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fracas
Instead of getting involved with Hausmann, Pearce ran away from the fracas as the officials blew their whistles.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
In 2006, the rapper was involved in a fracas at London’s Heathrow Airport, during which seven police officers received minor injuries.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025
The intensity was also ramped up as there was a fracas between the teams, plus linebacker Jordyn Brooks was seen giving it to a teammate, reaching the point of physicality with him on the sideline.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025
In one clip of the fracas shared by NJ Spotlight News, McIver could be heard telling officers not to touch her or Watson Coleman as McIver appeared to cling to the elder congresswoman.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
In 2006, the rapper was involved in a fracas at London’s Heathrow Airport, during which seven police officers received minor injuries.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025
The intensity was also ramped up as there was a fracas between the teams, plus linebacker Jordyn Brooks was seen giving it to a teammate, reaching the point of physicality with him on the sideline.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025
In one clip of the fracas shared by NJ Spotlight News, McIver could be heard telling officers not to touch her or Watson Coleman as McIver appeared to cling to the elder congresswoman.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
Noun
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These issues are not unique to the WNBA, as its affiliate league, the NBA, has weathered refereeing controversies and skirmishes over player pay for years.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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Each new development is underscored by a lingering discomfort about the racial dynamics of the skirmish and about Maja taking action where Nourou might have wanted to leave the whole thing be.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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They get wasted at a party and engage in a drunken brawl.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
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Big-market brawls between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees now happen yearly.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Blame Mercury’s clash with Chiron!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Previous attempts by activist flotillas to break the blockade have largely failed and sometimes sparked deadly clashes, including during the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla raid.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In May, Van Hecke was involved in an altercation in training with then-Brighton team-mate Joao Pedro.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Sanchez, 38, was involved in an altercation with the 69-year-old truck driver in the early-morning hours of Saturday, when police said the driver allegedly stabbed Sanchez while defending himself during a fight.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The battle of the rotations Pretty much every night, their starting pitcher was better than your starting pitcher.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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That includes research presentations on hip-hop, identity and activism, interactive workshops in education and creative practice, and a freestyle dance battle.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Congressional Democrats have not sought to change that, at least not in the current spending fight.—
Todd Spangler,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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The administration has also called out the arrest of Sortor, a 27-year-old conservative influencer, amid protests outside the ICE facility in Portland during what police characterized as a fight.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This helps keep the smaller canines safe and avoids potential scuffles.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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The man tried to rob him, causing a scuffle that ended with Zeek shot, lying on the ground, dialing 911.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Prior to the dustups with NBCU and TelevisaUnivision, YouTube TV had nearly blacked out Paramount and Fox networks, reaching deals with both media companies after tensions spilled into public view.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
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And the headline bombshells continue in the who-did-what-when mortgage dustups.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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