1
as in clash
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
they were thrown out of the party after starting a brawl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the student drama society's decision to put on the controversial play prompted a brawl at the school board meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in roar
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound
we could hear the brawl of the river rapids ahead of us before we could actually see them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
the Wilsons were always loudly brawling, and the neighbors were always shutting their windows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of brawl
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
The final of the Minas Gerais state championship in Brazil descended into chaos on Sunday night, with a violent brawl leading to red cards for no fewer than 23 players.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
As a ballplayer, Kent was as irascible as Bonds; the two alphas reportedly brawled behind clubhouse doors, and famously clashed in the dugout during a 2002 game, when Bonds lunged for Kent’s throat and pushed him against the wall.
—Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawl
Noun
And last month, the Friars were leading, 40-39, when the brawl broke out.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
The final of the Minas Gerais state championship in Brazil descended into chaos on Sunday night, with a violent brawl leading to red cards for no fewer than 23 players.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
This was described as a flat-out fight as Rhodes and Fatu brawled into the crowd.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
As a ballplayer, Kent was as irascible as Bonds; the two alphas reportedly brawled behind clubhouse doors, and famously clashed in the dugout during a 2002 game, when Bonds lunged for Kent’s throat and pushed him against the wall.
—Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawl
Noun
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The cross-border clashes, which erupted late last month, have shown no signs of abating despite efforts by China and Turkey to broker a ceasefire.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
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Defense was absent from the Nuggets’ game plan early in this clash, though, and Murray Supreme was nowhere to be seen.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Video released by the department showed two women in prison outfits in a physical altercation.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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York and the man later appeared to find their way to a parking garage area as the altercation continues, per the footage released by TMZ.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At the end of every episode, the SXSW audience let out a roar that seemed to get louder each time.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
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Before any roar from the crowd at Austin’s Paramount Theatre, the Hall of Fame has a tradition in the walk-up to SXSW, lauding the Lone Star state’s most platinum in cinema at The Texas Film Awards, who are then inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Jokic and Oklahoma City’s players had bothered each other and bickered all night.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
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Her grandparents are constantly bickering, worn down by the pressures of keeping the family hotel afloat.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the ensuing melee, she was hit in the head with a metal water bottle — causing injuries so severe that she was hospitalized, and later died.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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With two cameramen capturing the melee, Ropp had a mix of his cast, crew and whoever the hell else was around join in the game.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Officers said they were called to the area for a domestic dispute.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Merit filed for bankruptcy last July and became embroiled in a thorny legal dispute with a former broadcasting business partner.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Boston bats made little noise all night in North Port.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
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Comfort grows as the instinctive Moon centers your 4th House of Home and Family, bringing attention to routines that shelter you from the world’s noise.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But is everyone really fighting in this scenario?—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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Michael Loria The war with Iran has sparked fighting throughout the Middle East, including in Lebanon where Israel and Iran ally Hezbollah have been fighting intermittently for generations.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawl. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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