as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
the police had to break up an affray that started between fans of the opposing teams
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affray
Although Stokes was fully acquitted of affray, the incident had a deep effect on him and was a stop-the-clock moment in his career.
—
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Two 13-year-old boys were charged with assault and battery by means of a deadly weapon (shod foot), affray, and resisting arrest, police said.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
On Tuesday — nearly two months after the incident — Anne Arundel County police arrested 26-year-old Trevor Taylor of Glen Burnie, Md., on charges of manslaughter, second-degree assault, affray and disorderly conduct.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 21 July 2023
Garrett Trevor Taylor, 26, has been charged with manslaughter, three counts of second-degree assault, affray and disorderly conduct, according to a news release by police.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 20 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for affray
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Two 13-year-old boys were charged with assault and battery by means of a deadly weapon (shod foot), affray, and resisting arrest, police said.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
On Tuesday — nearly two months after the incident — Anne Arundel County police arrested 26-year-old Trevor Taylor of Glen Burnie, Md., on charges of manslaughter, second-degree assault, affray and disorderly conduct.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 21 July 2023
Garrett Trevor Taylor, 26, has been charged with manslaughter, three counts of second-degree assault, affray and disorderly conduct, according to a news release by police.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 20 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for affray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affray
Noun
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Officials didn’t provide information about what might have sparked the brawl.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Geopolitical tensions have leaked into competitive sports as of late, with brawls and anti-Donald Trump chants coloring U.S.-Canadian hockey games.—
Story Hinckley,
Christian Science Monitor,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The two then had an altercation, during which one of the children was knocked over and Villalobos fled, according to authorities.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
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Although officially estranged, the couple were still living together with their three sons under the age of 11 at the time of the July 16, 2023, altercation outside their house.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Since then, while tallies have fluctuated, the average has been around 180 clashes per day, an increase of about 30%.—
Andrew Carey and Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the public clash between Musk and Navarro as an example of the administration's transparency.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affray. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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