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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fracas
When adults who spotted the fracas intervened to break up the fight, a 37-year-old man was slashed in the lower back.
—
Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
He got involved in a subway fracas that left a bad cop dead amid hints of police corruption.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
The fracas around Excerpt for a Failed Project points to the grim current state of the internet—in particular social media, which reveals itself as a flawed participatory medium.
—Fabiola Iza, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Whether the fracas was Zelensky's fault or not, the fallout for Ukraine could be severe.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
He got involved in a subway fracas that left a bad cop dead amid hints of police corruption.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
The fracas around Excerpt for a Failed Project points to the grim current state of the internet—in particular social media, which reveals itself as a flawed participatory medium.
—Fabiola Iza, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Whether the fracas was Zelensky's fault or not, the fallout for Ukraine could be severe.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
Noun
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But the pause comes amid a backdrop of daily skirmishes, largely by drone warfare.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Not about the economic turmoil from tariffs, any one of the skirmishes playing out abroad, or a surprise shake-up in his White House staff.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Listen to this article A 19-year-old has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in the Bronx after an argument outside a pizza parlor turned into an all-out brawl, police said Thursday.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2025
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So, too, was Gordon, Christian Braun, Jokić and other Nuggets nearly getting into a full-on brawl with James Harden and the Clippers on the last possession of the first half.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The following day, however, Mercury will meet Mars in a stubborn square, triggering a clash between the need for practicality and discernment versus the desire to express oneself boldly and with pride.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
1 May 2025
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India has been a nuclear power for over 50 years, possessing an arsenal that is publicly clandestine but capable in warfare—notably against its neighboring country, Pakistan, amid their decades-long clash over Kashmir.—
Nick Mordowanec
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Back in January, Kerley was hit with a domestic violence charge in an unrelated incident from last year, after he was arrested following an altercation with police.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2025
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This comes after an altercation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo at the conclusion of the team's playoff series.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Noun
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This, after an epic indoor fireworks battle — among other shenanigans — had the place looking like a warzone in videos.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2025
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In the Trump-Europe trade wars, the battle so far has been focused on goods: Trump’s tariffs on German cars and French champagne have been met with tit-for-tat threats to boost levies on all-American booze and motor vehicles, from Kentucky bourbon to Harley Davidson motorcycles.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2025
Noun
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For those who don’t regularly use the MTA, this perception is amplified by media coverage of fights, stabbings, and other acts of violence circulating on social media.—
David Garten,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
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The health care fight — over a discount drug program — will play out in the House’s Health and Human Services Committee on Monday.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The film, which chronicles prosecutors’ controversial 2023 raid on an online news outlet amid a defamation dustup with then-President Yoon Suk Yeol,, has grossed $276,864 since its midweek opening.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2025
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From casting backlash and political dustups to a lingering conversation of how to portray the tale's dwarfs in 2025, here's a timeline detailing the Snow White live-action remake's controversies.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
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