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
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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
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
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Inside the bare-knuckle legal brawl between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
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Watson also praised the officer for his quick actions in response to the brawl.—
Stepheny Price,
Fox News,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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He was also arrested in 2012 following an altercation at a hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstructing justice, Reuters reported.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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Tarrant County sheriff’s deputies fatally shot a man who was armed with a knife during an altercation as the deputies tried to serve a warrant Friday afternoon in Haltom City, according to the Sheriff’s Office.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That grievance total was the second-highest tally since 2016, according to a USA TODAY Network analysis, suggesting current economic conditions and corporate policies are fueling more clashes over insurance coverage.—
David Robinson,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
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Members of the Congolese Red Cross and civil protection workers bury dozens of victims of the recent clashes at a cemetery in Goma on Tuesday.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The burgeoning dispute pits free speech protections against the FCC’s authority to ensure that public airwaves operate in the public interest.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Feb. 2025
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The push follows an ongoing contract dispute between Optimum's parent company, Altice USA, and MSG Networks, which has resulted in the loss of access to MSG sports programming for thousands of customers.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But over the coming years, such quarrels may serve as a barometer for which voices in his ear will have the most influence, and the extent to which Trump remains sensitive to public pushback.—
Eric Cortellessa,
TIME,
20 Jan. 2025
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The House has been thrust into a political quarrel after voters elected 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans in November.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Asked about the streaming event about those controversies, Bloys demurred.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
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There was controversy over the fact that hometown hero Lil Wayne didn’t get the gig in New Orleans.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But the process has faced delays amid intraparty disagreement on how to proceed.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2025
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The Trump administration will likely appeal the judicial prohibitions and, given the extent of disagreement between the White House and many Democratic-leaning states, the issue will likely be heard by the Supreme Court.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The incident may have started as a fight inside a local McDonald’s restaurant, which then spilled out onto the street, according to a police source.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2025
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Transport boxes, electronic scales and gaffs, sharp blades that can be attached to roosters' legs during fights, were found on the property, the news statement said.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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