variants
or British fracas
1
as in skirmishes
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 brawls
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 fracases
The fracas has even revived the anti-military sentiment at Google, where a tiny fraction of its employees wrote a letter to the company imploring it to make a similar stand.
—
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Jonny Fairplay went from being banned from all official Survivor events (the result of a Vanuatu finale after-party fracas) to back on the show for Micronesia.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Mamdani has downplayed the fracas in Washington Square Park as kids simply having some fun.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer said a staff member was punched during the on-court fracas.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
Bridges didn’t like what Duren did and pointed at him, sparking another fracas when Stewart, who wasn’t even in the game, came off the bench and confronted Bridges, prompting Bridges to tackle him like a linebacker.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
At one point, Waugh returned to the room, grabbed a homemade handgun and returned to the fracas.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2026
Players and coaches from both teams quickly joined the fracas to try and separate Dort and Fears.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Perhaps the latest fracas over a 2024 climate, parks and environmental bond will offer a useful lesson for coming elections.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Jonny Fairplay went from being banned from all official Survivor events (the result of a Vanuatu finale after-party fracas) to back on the show for Micronesia.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Mamdani has downplayed the fracas in Washington Square Park as kids simply having some fun.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer said a staff member was punched during the on-court fracas.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
Bridges didn’t like what Duren did and pointed at him, sparking another fracas when Stewart, who wasn’t even in the game, came off the bench and confronted Bridges, prompting Bridges to tackle him like a linebacker.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
At one point, Waugh returned to the room, grabbed a homemade handgun and returned to the fracas.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2026
Players and coaches from both teams quickly joined the fracas to try and separate Dort and Fears.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Perhaps the latest fracas over a 2024 climate, parks and environmental bond will offer a useful lesson for coming elections.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracases
Noun
-
The two also got into multiple skirmishes back in December during a recent Lakers-Suns game, including James knocking down Brooks after some contact from the NBA's all-time leading scorer.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Enrigue’s novel is inspired by the long-running Apache Wars of the 19th century, a series of brutal skirmishes between various Apache bands and the armies of the United States and Mexico.—
Carolina A. Miranda,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are five consecutive brawls in the final two minutes, including one involving both goalies.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
This is a grand adventure and cracking good mystery awash with gaslighting, brawls, murders, red herrings and a secret society.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The train, which was originally slated to open in 2023, has faced significant delays caused by clashes between the airport and contractor, LAX Integrated Express Solutions, over timeline, compensation and production.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were arrested in connection with the device at Saturday’s chaotic rally, which saw clashes between Lang and counterprotesters outside the Upper East Side mayoral residence of Mayor Mamdani.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But in a rare but potentially growing number of instances, local law enforcement officers say, frustrations on the Valley’s increasingly congested roads are escalating into threats, altercations and sometimes deadly violence.—
Rose Evans
Updated March 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Lakewood police said officers returned to the area later after receiving reports of altercations, injuries, and a growing crowd of onlookers.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some injuries stemmed from fights between detainees, including a man who said he had been kicked in the ear and battered in his ribs.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Some injuries stemmed from fights between detainees, including a man who said he had been kicked in the ear and battered in his ribs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Comfort battles formality fighting to break free.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
For example, one recent night, the room between Cardboard Corner Café and TableTop was set up for Warhammer, where enthusiasts collect, build, and paint miniatures, and fight strategic tabletop battles.—
Debra Skodack,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fracases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracases. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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