1
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
the police broke up the fracas in the bar and threw both combatants in the lockup
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2
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
police preparing for any fracas that might follow the soccer game
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of fracas
Watching the fracas from afar, Gizelle Bryant’s gears are finally starting to turn.
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Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024
There was a broken arm and a broken nose, plus a couple more people hurt in the fracas of the Party Bus pursuit.
—Outside Online, 21 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for fracas 
Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024
There was a broken arm and a broken nose, plus a couple more people hurt in the fracas of the Party Bus pursuit.
—Outside Online, 21 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for fracas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
Noun
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The ugly scene on a suburban street was a harbinger of skirmishes to come.Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
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Houston teammates then ran in to defend their teammate, as well, leading to a skirmish that spilled out of bounds while Lawrence remained on the turf, still on his back, as medical personnel tended to him.Andrew Greif, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Trump's comments inspired some Jan. 6 defendants to ask judges for delays in court action, spurred some to lobby for reprieves, demoralized some police officers injured in the attack and threatened a political brawl over the potential for turning loose people convicted of seditious conspiracy.Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
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Guida’s epic brawl with Diego Sanchez on the Ultimate Fighter Season 9 Finale was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2019.Brian Mazique, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Venus and Jupiter’s clash facilitates temporary compromises.USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
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Fury’s latest defeat to Usyk set up the possibility of a titanic all-British clash with Anthony Joshua, a fight which has been talked about for years.Ben Morse, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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Osbourne didn't share much about her treatment, but this update comes on the heels of her recent battle with a high fever over the holidays.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
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Yarrow died at his home in New York City after a four-year battle with bladder cancer, his publicist Ken Sunshine told USA TODAY.Anika Reed, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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In a hypothetical military dustup between the two members of NATO, Denmark could invoke the alliance’s sacred mutual-defense clause against the U.S. Article 5 states that an attack on one is an attack on all.Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Jan. 2025
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Hilaria was annoyed by his many dustups with the press and tried to make peace.Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 July 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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