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
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Recent Examples of fracas
Murray was right in the middle of the action when Caleb Williams was hit out of bounds on a play that should have drawn a penalty and was in a fracas after Roschon Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown run that led to ejections for Bears guard Matt Pryor and Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn.
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Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024
The fracas broke up when Santa Clara police officers arrived; the San Jose officer reportedly suffered a cut on his hand from broken glass when the windshield broke apart.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 29 June 2024
The fracas began when Johnson fouled South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley with around two minutes left in the game as South Carolina led 73-66.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2024
Maya’s talking about how her sister’s climb up the political ladder has caused a teasing fracas between the sisters on the topic of ceremonial titles.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fracas 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
Noun
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The refrain, a nod to Cali street skirmishes, is simple, yet emphatic — an easily repeatable hook that could send the track to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.Peter A. Berry, Variety, 24 Nov. 2024
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As evident in the 60th Mechanized Brigade’s video of the recent skirmish, a Javelin angles up then dives down on its target in order to strike where combat vehicles’ armor is thinnest: on top.David Axe, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Another video verified by NBC News showed a brawl break out outside Amsterdam Central Station after the game, in what the photographer described as an attack by Israeli fans on local residents.Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
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Kevin Owens was supposed to face Randy Orton at WWE Crown Jewel, but the match never took place after the friends-turned-rivals got into a wild brawl before the bell rang.Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
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After sidestepping any possibility of Jones triggering a $23 million injury guarantee by benching the starter, the Giants are giving DeVito another audition in the nation’s biggest media market—which includes a Thanksgiving clash with the Dallas Cowboys.Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024
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Western leaders including Biden have said that avoiding a direct clash between Russia and NATO is a top priority given the danger of nuclear war.David Brennan, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The complaint says police reviewed security footage of the altercation, which correlated with the girlfriend's telling of the incident, That occurred about a month before Graves is alleged to have shot and killed Quincy Smith.David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2024
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Lucy and Future Quinn get into a physical altercation, which ultimately ends with the killer's death.Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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That campaign, started during Barack Obama’s presidency, included battles in Mosul, where an effort to evict approximately 5,000 ISIS fighters in the city led to perhaps 10,000 civilian deaths and the destruction of the city.Eugene Kontorovich, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2024
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Big Tech, while not perfect, provides a significant competitive advantage in America’s ongoing information and technology battle with China.Chloe Berger, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Hence, their fight for cultural survival is also a global fight against deforestation and climate destruction.Nemonte Nenquimo, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2024
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This approach also raises questions about whether Trump would encourage his Justice Department to let up the fight to break up Google, and how the DOJ would handle ongoing antitrust cases against tech giants, including Apple.Clare Duffy, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
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There was another dustup later when defensive end Micheal Clemons, frequently involved in practice dustups over his three years in the NFL, held onto running back Mike Boone for a few extra seconds.Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024
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Harris supporters have criticized media coverage of the dustup as out of proportion, especially in light of the fact that Trump routinely uses similarly derogatory language.Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
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