fracas

noun

fra·​cas ˈfrā-kəs How to pronounce fracas (audio) ˈfra- How to pronounce fracas (audio)
British
ˈfra-ˌkä How to pronounce fracas (audio)
plural fracases ˈfrā-kə-səz How to pronounce fracas (audio)
ˈfra-
or British fracas ˈfra-ˌkäz How to pronounce fracas (audio)
: a noisy quarrel : brawl
a drunken fracas

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
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.
Fortunately, the fracas fizzled out fairly quickly, not escalating as much as the brawl after Michigan’s upset of Ohio State earlier in the day. Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024 As that fracas played out behind the scenes, The Apprentice arrived in France with distribution presold in a number of countries but still seeking a North American deal. Chris Lee, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2024 Frogtown’s flea market fracas and hard truths about gentrification. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 The fracas threatens to shift Pennsylvania, an all important swing state, toward Vice President Harris. Hispanic, and particularly Puerto Rican, voters along the Highway 222 corridor, also known as the Latino Corridor, are a key demographic in a state that’s tied in most polls. Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fracas 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fracas was in 1716

Dictionary Entries Near fracas

Cite this Entry

“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fracas. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

fracas

noun
: a noisy quarrel or fight

More from Merriam-Webster on fracas

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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