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
Relevance
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
For those who have been blissfully able to avoid the whole fracas, Blake Lively‘s December complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, which then became the basis of a lawsuit, was the opening salvo in this uncivil war.
—
Peter Kiefer, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
What makes this fracas serious is the underlying media mania for cancellation and censorship — of a performer and a president.
—Armond White, National Review, 5 Feb. 2025
He got involved in a subway fracas that left a bad cop dead amid hints of police corruption.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
Chief among them is the fracas over the film's lead, the Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Peter Kiefer, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
What makes this fracas serious is the underlying media mania for cancellation and censorship — of a performer and a president.
—Armond White, National Review, 5 Feb. 2025
He got involved in a subway fracas that left a bad cop dead amid hints of police corruption.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
Chief among them is the fracas over the film's lead, the Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
Noun
-
However the trade saga develops from here, the first skirmishes in a trade war, a dreaded relic of the Great Depression, have begun in the 21st century.—
Jeff Sommer,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
After all, listening is a great tool for influencing people, navigating conflict, and soothing relationship skirmishes.—
Aditi Shrikant,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Officials didn’t provide information about what might have sparked the brawl.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Geopolitical tensions have leaked into competitive sports as of late, with brawls and anti-Donald Trump chants coloring U.S.-Canadian hockey games.—
Story Hinckley,
Christian Science Monitor,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Since then, while tallies have fluctuated, the average has been around 180 clashes per day, an increase of about 30%.—
Andrew Carey and Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
-
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the public clash between Musk and Navarro as an example of the administration's transparency.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The two then had an altercation, during which one of the children was knocked over and Villalobos fled, according to authorities.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Although officially estranged, the couple were still living together with their three sons under the age of 11 at the time of the July 16, 2023, altercation outside their house.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Rather, Awuah-Darko wants his story to reach people, whether through Instagram or this article, who feel alone in their battles, even if that comes with backlash.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
For Episode 15 of the current 17th season that aired on April 11, 2025, the eliminated queens were spotlighted by returning to battle for a $50,000 prize in a series of emotional and high-energy lip syncs, as was the popular Korean drinking game that Rosé and Mars sing about in their duet.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The 27-year-old’s striking was on point throughout the fight.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
According to Fox 4 News, Anthony, who is Black, is accused of stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, who was white during a fight at Kuykendall Stadium.—
Oumou Fofana,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In a world gone mad, at least one constant remains: People in positions of power are still absolutely losing their minds over petty social media dustups, reacting in ways that just make everything worse.—
Nate Anderson,
Ars Technica,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The dustup was also later revisited on the network’s Laura Coates Live.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share