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
Relevance
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
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 fracas
There was a fracas that earned the Nuggets and Clippers six technical fouls on Sunday, while the Pistons-Knicks and Rockets-Warriors series have been notably chippy, with technicals and flagrants frequent.
—
The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
However, another fracas broke out at the end of the frame, and the Lightning’s Anthony Cirelli was sent to the penalty box for roughing.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2025
Following an intense midgame fracas with the Detroit Pistons on Monday, two critical Timberwolves contributors will serve out their single-game suspensions against Denver.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
There have been intense moments, big games, and even a fracas.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracas
The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
However, another fracas broke out at the end of the frame, and the Lightning’s Anthony Cirelli was sent to the penalty box for roughing.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2025
Following an intense midgame fracas with the Detroit Pistons on Monday, two critical Timberwolves contributors will serve out their single-game suspensions against Denver.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
There have been intense moments, big games, and even a fracas.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
Noun
-
The protests were substantially peaceful, although small skirmishes resulting in arrests, damage to property and injuries broke out when police tried to disperse the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas.—
Megan Schrader,
Denver Post,
22 June 2025
-
Eisman drew similarities between the rocky trade environment and lead-up to World War I, likely referring to a series of treaties forged in the decades before the war designed to settle regional skirmishes that, in reality, created two massive, and eventually opposing, alliances.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
If a person tears off someone’s ear or nose in a bar brawl, jail time is almost certain.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
The Enquirer,
4 July 2025
-
There's much to consider about this hypothetical brawl.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
In many ways, the game might offer a blueprint for the quarterfinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
Speaking in a press conference ahead of his team’s Club World Cup round-of-16 clash with Benfica in Charlotte, Maresca voiced a similar sentiment.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
At Monday’s arraignment, when prosecutors revealed the details of the altercation, a judge ordered Horsman to be held without bail.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
-
In a now-viral recording of the altercation posted to Reddit, Perry is seen grabbing the other passenger's hair.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
After a competitive bidding battle, Amazon MGM Studios has landed the package for a live-action movie revolving around the Bratz doll line with Kim Kardashian and Picturestart on board to produce.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
-
That same month, Adams withdrew his candidacy for the Democratic primary, saying the legal battle had prevented him from effectively campaigning.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
The result of that fight was Paul's first and only pro loss, dropping a split decision to Fury.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Then, in 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts do not have a role to play in deciding legal fights over partisan gerrymandering, when state's voting lines are drawn to entrench the political party in power.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
The dustup laid bare the tension between why many people go to college and why professors teach.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
-
Sonny signs on and immediately gets into tense dustups with Pearce who, like Sonny, is prone to making rash decisions and is more of an individual racer than a team player.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share