1
as in brawls
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
the ruction ended with everyone involved getting arrested
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in commotions
a state of noisy, confused activity
the ruction outside the door prompted me to investigate what was going on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ructions
Noun
-
The Avs and Stars haven’t had games devolve into all-out brawls like Tampa Bay and Florida have.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026 -
The change had come following years of youth disturbances, including major brawls and nearby shootings.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Over the past year, men’s ski jumping has been marred by Norway’s cheating scandal and more recent genital manipulation rumors, which has become one of the early commotions of the Milano-Cortina Games.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Videos from the scene showed clashes and even a man with a gun in one town.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In Dallas, clashes erupted between No Kings marchers and counter-protesters.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Commercial airplanes cruise at speeds of up to 600 miles per hour (521 knots) at altitudes between 30,000 and 42,000 feet, levels which are specifically selected to reduce disturbances.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Several fungal species are most often carried by dust and other soil disturbances, posing health risks when inhaled.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Multiple defendants, however, appeared to have been hurt in the altercations.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
About two couples, connected and dependent on one another, raising their kids alongside each other, facing the same turmoils, the same existential questions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Mayer and Strong offer a broad pop-history lesson, in which the same tensions and turmoils churn on and on in their terrible cycle throughout the decades; the only thing that’s changed are the aesthetics.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
-
Ajmera said her neighbors worry the center could impact their water bills or introduce loud humming noises to the largely residential area.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Desensitize to loud or unusual noises—play recordings of transit sounds—such as subway announcements or car horns—while offering treats to create positive associations.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Ructions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ructions. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
