1
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
a dozen people were arrested after the donnybrook at the stadium
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2
as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the kind of hot-button issue that inevitably creates a donnybrook in the halls of the statehouse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of donnybrook
The donnybrook between Disney and Ron DeSantis keeps escalating, and what should be a dispute over corporate welfare has devolved into an unfortunate political brawl that both could lose.
—
The Editorial Board, wsj.com, 27 Apr. 2023
There were, however, the makings of a donnybrook.
—Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022
Both guys are going to come out swinging and tire themselves out, but Danny’s going to bring it early and often to make Errol prove he’s fully recovered in a donnybrook.
—Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2020
The unequal three-way donnybrook — film critics on one side, the vox populi and aggrieved artists on the other — is a digital-era twist on a perennial Hollywood story.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
The Editorial Board, wsj.com, 27 Apr. 2023
There were, however, the makings of a donnybrook.
—Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022
Both guys are going to come out swinging and tire themselves out, but Danny’s going to bring it early and often to make Errol prove he’s fully recovered in a donnybrook.
—Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2020
The unequal three-way donnybrook — film critics on one side, the vox populi and aggrieved artists on the other — is a digital-era twist on a perennial Hollywood story.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donnybrook
Noun
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What To Know The snippet of the brawl seen online does not show how the fight began.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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The brawl kicked off between the teams during a tense second quarter on Sunday, March 30.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
31 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
Noun
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An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment on the cancellations, but the company has noted in its annual report that international trade disputes, including tariffs, pose a risk to its business.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
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Approach with caution, look at reviews, and maybe don’t use your main credit card (or at least keep your bank’s dispute line handy).—
Francesca Krempa,
StyleCaster,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As the Venetians and the Ottoman Turks squabble over Cyprus in the background, the men before us quarrel over everything—a woman, a job, a handkerchief.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
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The basketball star has a reputation for being able to silence media noise in the most crucial moments, but the family element of this quarrel seems to have hit a little too close to home this time.—
Christian Orozco,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But even without the political controversy, Tesla is facing headwinds due to growing competition from other automakers, particularly those in China.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2025
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Plus, there’s no shortage of controversy in modern politics—use this recipe as a starting point for your own cheeky and timely dessert.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Netanyahu fired Ronen Bar, the previous holder of the post, last month after disagreements over who should be held responsible for failing to prevent the October 2023 attack by Hamas that triggered the war in Gaza.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Apr. 2025
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An Israeli official denied that there was any disagreement between the two leaders.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In the co-main event of the fight card, Brandon Grach and Liam Talivaa face off in a heavyweight rematch.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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During the Veterans Memorial Invitational Tournament in Egg Harbor Township, which is about eight miles outside Atlantic City, a fight broke out between players on the Maple Shade Cadet and Frenzy Cadet teams.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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