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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fracas
The fracas has even revived the anti-military sentiment at Google, where a tiny fraction of its employees wrote a letter to the company imploring it to make a similar stand.
—
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Jonny Fairplay went from being banned from all official Survivor events (the result of a Vanuatu finale after-party fracas) to back on the show for Micronesia.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Mamdani has downplayed the fracas in Washington Square Park as kids simply having some fun.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Bridges didn’t like what Duren did and pointed at him, sparking another fracas when Stewart, who wasn’t even in the game, came off the bench and confronted Bridges, prompting Bridges to tackle him like a linebacker.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Jonny Fairplay went from being banned from all official Survivor events (the result of a Vanuatu finale after-party fracas) to back on the show for Micronesia.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Mamdani has downplayed the fracas in Washington Square Park as kids simply having some fun.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Bridges didn’t like what Duren did and pointed at him, sparking another fracas when Stewart, who wasn’t even in the game, came off the bench and confronted Bridges, prompting Bridges to tackle him like a linebacker.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
Noun
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And the Pakistani military has been engaged in cross-border skirmishes with the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan for months.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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With billions of dollars at stake, the conflicts manifest in sharp skirmishes in the Legislature, in courts and in the ballot measure arena.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Lueders eventually co-founded Few and the Proud, the band that would evolve into Convicted and finally Harm’s Way, transitioning from power violence toward brawl-ready hardcore punk, with various strands of metal thrown in from one album to the next.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
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Jarred Cavan died of his injuries after being stabbed during a brawl just outside Milpitas High School in Santa Clara County on Tuesday afternoon.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The deepening crisis has also sparked protests and clashes across the island.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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From there, the play builds into a seismic clash between the two, each arguing for their place, with Curator caught in the middle.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Brockton man charged after allegedly shooting at officers Jailson Andrade, 44, faces several charges after allegedly firing at Brockton Police officers during an altercation early Sunday morning, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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Three months into faith leaders’ legal battle, they were allowed back inside the facility in February for Ash Wednesday after a court order granted limited access.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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In the midst of a restitution battle, records show that Kilpatrick is at risk of losing a home in Novi over more than $50,000 in unpaid property taxes.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The confrontation, which led to multiple 911 calls reporting a fight involving a firearm, resulted in the arrest of Ahmad Zeeshan.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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The United States Powered Paragliding Association and Experimental Aircraft Association have written letters supporting the ultralight pilots in their fight against the county airport, as cited in the documents under review for the FAA’s upcoming decision.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The aerial scuffles are charming.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
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Walker was shot and killed by Officer Alexander Clifford when a scuffle led to a policeman falling backward, at which point Walker raised a knife, Prescott wrote in his preliminary report.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the latest dustup over a groundbreaking HIV prevention medicine, Doctors Without Borders has harshly criticized the manufacturer for refusing to sell its treatment directly to humanitarian organizations.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
30 Mar. 2026
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Aside from the, well, red-meat aspect of the latest Senate race dustup, what about Talarico's actual message on meat consumption?—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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