fracas

noun

fra·​cas ˈfrā-kəs  ˈfra- 

British

ˈfra-ˌkä 

plural fracases ˈfrā-kə-səz 

ˈfra-

or British fracas ˈfra-ˌkäz 

: a noisy quarrel : brawl

a drunken fracas

Synonyms

• battle
• clash
• combat
• conflict
• contest
• dustup
• fight
• fray
• hassle
• scrap
• scrimmage
• scrum
• scuffle
• skirmish
• struggle
• tussle

Examples of fracas in a Sentence

the police broke up the fracas in the bar and threw both combatants in the lockup

police preparing for any fracas that might follow the soccer game

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

Etymology

French, din, row, from Italian fracasso, from fracassare to shatter

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fracas

noun

fra·​cas ˈfrā-kəs  ˈfrak-əs 

: a noisy quarrel or fight