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
Cellphone video circulating online shows Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents telling two men in Salisbury to stop recording them at a traffic stop on Monday, as well as the fracas that followed.
—
Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Instead, Johnson attempted to grab the gun and Black allegedly shot at Johnson during the fracas, killing Johnson’s friend, 55-year-old James Stephens, according to court records.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
We’ve been heartened to see that a substantial number of alders has emerged from the recent city budget fracas to show resolve, self-discipline and real political chops.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
The pushing and shoving continued as Bucks and Bulls players left their benches to break up the fracas.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Instead, Johnson attempted to grab the gun and Black allegedly shot at Johnson during the fracas, killing Johnson’s friend, 55-year-old James Stephens, according to court records.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
We’ve been heartened to see that a substantial number of alders has emerged from the recent city budget fracas to show resolve, self-discipline and real political chops.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
The pushing and shoving continued as Bucks and Bulls players left their benches to break up the fracas.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
Noun
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At least four videos appear to contradict the administration’s account that Pretti was holding a weapon during the skirmish leading up to his death.—
Karen Cortes,
NBC news,
26 Jan. 2026
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That led to a small skirmish with the governor’s office.—
Josie Reich,
Hartford Courant,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As the refs continued to attempt to break up the brawl, Rhodes attacked Fatu once again.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
That wasn't the only basketball brawl in Kentucky this week, as a high school game had fisticuffs and benches clearing.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And Eat Street was the scene of a series of clashes, federal officers and local and state police pulled back and protesters took over the area.—
Jack Brook,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Some of these interludes of creative clash are funny, but the joke runs dry fairly quickly.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Police believe the shooting might have stemmed from an argument or altercation.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Just hours after he was taken into custody, Anderson was involved in a physical altercation with another incarcerated person.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This week, documents released amid the ongoing legal battle between Lively and Baldoni included a series of texts between Lively and Swift.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
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The legal battles and war of words between local and federal officials have mirrored the contentious scene on the ground in the state.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There was one fight that happened organically when Aspirot dropped the gloves with Kirby Dach after a net-front battle.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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Democrats could also attempt next week to strip the DHS component from the legislation and fund the rest of the government while the ICE political fight continues to play out.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The incident appears to have been a very minor scuffle, nothing that anyone would have noted, if not for Peters’ attorneys decision to blow it out of proportion and highlight it in the media.—
Megan Schrader,
Denver Post,
20 Jan. 2026
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As a result, Warren Barhorst snatched Brown’s towel after a kickoff return, resulting in a benches-clearing scuffle after Brown tackled Barhorst.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The dustup comes as Australia’s parliament prepares to consider harsher speech laws devised in the wake of the Bondi massacre.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Jan. 2026
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While the midair dustups are trending down after the Federal Aviation Administration adopted a zero-tolerance policy and increased fines almost five years ago, the incidents will end up close to double the three-year average before the pandemic.—
Thomas Black,
Twin Cities,
21 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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