fracas

noun

ˈfrā-kəs How to pronounce fracas (audio)
Definition of fracasnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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.
Recent Examples of fracas Here is the tailend of the fracas that began with Rashard Kelly and Mario Chalmers, followed by a lengthy conversation by the refs with TBT officials. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026 Paredes was seen coming over to a post-match fracas between players from the two nations and putting his hand on the throat of García. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 Still, no punches thrown from his direction on the way out, beyond the social-media trail that seemingly precipitated the Friday fracas with Adebayo. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026 Cavalli, 27, was disciplined for his role in a scuffle that broke out during Washington’s game against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night, including a comment that ignited the fracas. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fracas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
  1. skirmish
  2. brawl
  3. clash
  4. altercation
  5. battle
  6. fight
  7. scuffle
  8. dustup
Noun
  • There was a brief skirmish in the end zone after Howell's 2-point conversion run.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Its outcome will be a major milestone in the decades-long political skirmishes over CEQA.
    — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • There appeared to be no lingering ill will in the first meeting between the clubs since a three-game series at Cincinnati in mid-April that featured a benches-clearing brawl.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The brawl follows one last week during the City Series at Wrigley Field.
    — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of brawl
Noun
  • Assertive Mars clashes with your ruler Saturn, highlighting tension around your home, family, or the amount of emotional labor each person carries.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The clash between Ossoff and Piker comes as members of the Jewish community in Atlanta have criticized the Jewish Democrat, largely over his votes to block certain arms sales to Israel.
    — Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • The Honda continues down the street and crashes into a parked car, as Good’s wife, Becca Good, who was recording the altercation, runs after it.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Detectives found that Spencer was involved in an altercation with a man inside the library before the stabbing.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of altercation
Noun
  • The only intrigue at offensive line was the backup center battle between Hudson and Patrick.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Naturally, with three more Salt Lake City wives at the Alter Ego Party, Gizelle is ready to further investigate why Lisa is in a battle with her whole cast.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • Mayer had some early success with her jab, but Cameron increasingly took control as the fight progressed and landed the cleaner punches before hurting Mayer with a right hand in the eighth round.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Metchie was very much on the bubble of the 53-man roster, and he was outperformed by his peers, even if not by much in this rock-fight of a contest.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • During the scuffle, the mother alleged that Ruiz bit her forearm, leaving a mark, the warrant affidavit said.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The heated scuffle began after Miami’s Ian Fray tangled with Philadelphia’s Quinn Sullivan.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of scuffle
Noun
  • After the dustups, the offense went from taking blows from the defense to delivering some of its own.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
  • The White House’s latest dustup with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) landed with a thud Thursday among his GOP colleagues.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2026
Definition of dustup

Browse Nearby Words

foys
fracas
fracases
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Cite this Entry

“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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