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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of donnybrook
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
Second, there is that political donnybrook sense of a right ugly fight while people hammer each other in hopes of furthering their own agendas.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for 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
Second, there is that political donnybrook sense of a right ugly fight while people hammer each other in hopes of furthering their own agendas.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for donnybrook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donnybrook
Noun
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Trump's comments inspired some Jan. 6 defendants to ask judges for delays in court action, spurred some to lobby for reprieves, demoralized some police officers injured in the attack and threatened a political brawl over the potential for turning loose people convicted of seditious conspiracy.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
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Guida’s epic brawl with Diego Sanchez on the Ultimate Fighter Season 9 Finale was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2019.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Following the altercation, the woman’s mother stormed out of the room, leaving the family divided on who was right in the situation.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
9 Jan. 2025
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When an altercation erupted between a rioter and a Capitol Police officer, the document said, Roe — with the pitchfork in his right hand — moved forward and pushed the officer with his left hand.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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At stake in the clash with rival Buffalo Bills is a trip to the Super Bowl and a bid for a historic Super Bowl three-peat for the Chiefs.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, the Bruins are flying high after a 2-0 shutout win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, and with a strong defensive showing and reliable goaltending, Boston will look to carry that momentum into Saturday's clash.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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City officials did not say what set off the dispute.—
Deon J. Hampton,
NBC News,
17 Jan. 2025
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Campbell, who sat out the previous installment due to a salary dispute, is on board for the new feature to focus on her character, Sidney Prescott, and her daughter.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The heads of corporate branding cook up a brief, a design firm answers with a litany of slides, and, after iterations, interventions, and internal quarrels, the sign arrives in the physical plane, with glossy acrylic letterforms and antiseptic light.—
Laura Preston,
The New Yorker,
15 July 2024
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The key is to keep communication clear and avoid overreacting to petty quarrels and misunderstandings.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Now, Corbet has weighed in on the controversy himself in a statement to Deadline.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
20 Jan. 2025
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So Vance had no reservations about referencing Rose's famed Hall of Fame controversy to mock the outgoing president.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Peace-makers are threatened by disagreements and go along with the group to create harmony and keep the peace.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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The case doesn’t have the customary hallmarks of cases that warrant Supreme Court action, Greely told me, such as disagreements among appellate circuits requiring resolution.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Even so, there is uncertainty about how quickly lawmakers will approve the boost for legal fights against the new administration.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacramento Bee,
22 Jan. 2025
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Bobby Templin — whose hand was fractured in prison two years ago — admitted Tuesday afternoon to hitting a correctional officer during a January 2023 fight at the Idaho State Correctional Center.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near donnybrook
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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