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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of donnybrook
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
Second, there is that political donnybrook sense of a right ugly fight while people hammer each other in hopes of furthering their own agendas.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for 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
Second, there is that political donnybrook sense of a right ugly fight while people hammer each other in hopes of furthering their own agendas.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for donnybrook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donnybrook
Noun
-
At least four others were injured during the shooting rampage in the western town of Cetinje on Wednesday, which authorities say began after a bar brawl.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
-
Coming out of the brutal men’s bathroom brawl, which left Thanos and four others dead, Team X did a quick recount to determine which side (truly) lost more votes.Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Following the altercation, the woman’s mother stormed out of the room, leaving the family divided on who was right in the situation.Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
-
When an altercation erupted between a rioter and a Capitol Police officer, the document said, Roe — with the pitchfork in his right hand — moved forward and pushed the officer with his left hand.Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Venus and Jupiter’s clash facilitates temporary compromises.USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
-
Israel’s populist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has largely avoided public clashes with the Israel Defense Force’s leadership, but politicians in his orbit have regularly attacked top officers as elites bent on subverting the will of the people.Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
City officials did not say what set off the dispute.Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
-
Campbell, who sat out the previous installment due to a salary dispute, is on board for the new feature to focus on her character, Sidney Prescott, and her daughter.Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The heads of corporate branding cook up a brief, a design firm answers with a litany of slides, and, after iterations, interventions, and internal quarrels, the sign arrives in the physical plane, with glossy acrylic letterforms and antiseptic light.Laura Preston, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
-
The key is to keep communication clear and avoid overreacting to petty quarrels and misunderstandings.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The controversy surrounding Emilia Perez comes in stark contrast to the positive reception of Wicked.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
-
Whatever the controversy, these Thanksgiving stories will slake your appetite!JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The lawsuit, originally filed by DHL in September, centers around a financial disagreement stemming from MyPillow's use of DHL's delivery services.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
-
But the board quickly devolved into disagreement Tuesday as supervisors nominated themselves for the officer positions.Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Set in the pre-Independence, the biopic talks about Savarkar and his role in India’s fight against the British rule.Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
-
The Fed dialed back its fight against inflation over the final months of last year, lowering interest rates by a percentage point.Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near donnybrook
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share