1
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
a dozen people were arrested after the donnybrook at the stadium
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the kind of hot-button issue that inevitably creates a donnybrook in the halls of the statehouse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of donnybrook
The donnybrook between Disney and Ron DeSantis keeps escalating, and what should be a dispute over corporate welfare has devolved into an unfortunate political brawl that both could lose.
—
The Editorial Board, wsj.com, 27 Apr. 2023
There were, however, the makings of a donnybrook.
—Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022
Both guys are going to come out swinging and tire themselves out, but Danny’s going to bring it early and often to make Errol prove he’s fully recovered in a donnybrook.
—Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2020
The unequal three-way donnybrook — film critics on one side, the vox populi and aggrieved artists on the other — is a digital-era twist on a perennial Hollywood story.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
The Editorial Board, wsj.com, 27 Apr. 2023
There were, however, the makings of a donnybrook.
—Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022
Both guys are going to come out swinging and tire themselves out, but Danny’s going to bring it early and often to make Errol prove he’s fully recovered in a donnybrook.
—Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2020
The unequal three-way donnybrook — film critics on one side, the vox populi and aggrieved artists on the other — is a digital-era twist on a perennial Hollywood story.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donnybrook
Noun
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Authorities believe Davis orchestrated the hit with others in the car following a brawl at the MGM Grand casino.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
6 Mar. 2025
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For one thing, Born Again gets Cox in the suit ASAP and cuts to the chase almost as fast with an assassin’s fatal hand and a cop-bar brawl that truly shoots out the lights.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While some Iranian reformists have traditionally advocated for talks with the U.S., the Oval Office altercation has led to a reassessment.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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Not that this is necessarily the reason but an AI bot making Oscar predictions is forecasting a Will Smith/Chris Rock-style altercation between Brody and Chalamet.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Chicago Fire April 19: Columbus Crew May 10: Minnesota United May 14: San Jose Earthquakes May 24: Philadelphia Union The good news for out-of-Miami Messi fans is that – so far – there are no direct schedule clashes between the Argentina national team schedule and the Herons’ itinerary.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
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The sun’s clash with Jupiter encourages you to accept a promising career opportunity!—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The incident comes roughly three months after workplace dispute led to a shooting at a Texas USPS distribution facility that left one worker dead.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
5 Mar. 2025
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The dispute about the FEMA funds comes as the Trump administration is considering reshaping or abolishing FEMA.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Sridhar Ramaswamy has a war cabinet of workers and frequently gets into quarrels with staffers over AI ambition.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2025
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He’s been the attorney general for the state the last eight years, regularly an ally of litigation-ready Gov. Roy Cooper in quarrels with the Legislature.—
Alan Wooten | The Center Square,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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No controversies, no real debates over it being overrated.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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The controversy surrounding Musk's involvement in Social Security stems from his push for deep cuts in government spending while also suggesting Social Security could be targeted.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Daylight saving time isn’t going away anytime soon While all but two states in the U.S. continue to observe daylight saving time, there is still disagreement about whether the practice should be eliminated or made permanent.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
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Under the current system, the council’s discretion to overturn such decisions is limited to when there has been a procedural error — not a disagreement about historic value.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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His childhood was turbulent—his parents' frequent fights sometimes turned physical, with his father directing his frustrations at young Gene.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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Their responses indicate a lengthy fight to come over the budget resolution.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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