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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As Carbon Nation bounced from Hawaii to California and then to Las Vegas in 2020, the ideological messages once so prominent in their videos were increasingly buried beneath a surreal, debauched montage: members slapping each other, a brawl on the beach between Bishop’s wives.—
David Peisner,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
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Connor McDavid scored at 8:18 of overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the United States on Thursday night as the North American rivals turned what had been a tuneup for the 2026 Olympics into a geopolitical brawl over anthems and annexation as much as international hockey supremacy.—
Jimmy Golen,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, the two shell casings that were recovered from the scene by Relli and turned in to police two days after the altercation had no fingerprints.—
Daniela Avila,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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His family has requested the body cam footage of the altercation, but has not been able to view it.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Social Security official resigns after clash with Musk's DOGE.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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Acting head of Social Security abruptly steps down after clash with DOGE over data.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The network brought a federal lawsuit and a judge quickly sided with CNN in the dispute on due process grounds, leading the White House to back down from the legal fight.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN,
21 Feb. 2025
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Weston, 34, and Fulton, 57, were allegedly involved in a verbal dispute that turned physical on April 28, 2024.—
Charmaine Patterson,
People.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The public quarrel between Trump and Zelenskyy began after Russia and the U.S. agreed Tuesday to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties.—
ILLIA NOVIKOV,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
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The public quarrel between New Zealand and Cook Islands — which share a passport, a military and constitutional ties — was a victory for Beijing’s efforts to woo Pacific leaders and a blow to Western countries’ efforts to counter China’s sway, analysts said.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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His resignation also comes amid controversy over Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency reportedly seeking access to taxpayer data.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
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Not without controversy AstroForge has already butted heads with the science community.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Beyond being able to view things rationally, cognitive reappraisal also offers you and your partner the time to cool off when a disagreement becomes heated.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
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The governor compared the current Albany/City Hall conflict to the 1970s disagreement between Gov. Hugh Carey and Mayor Abe Beame on how to best handle financial woes which had brought down New York City.—
Adam Reiss,
NBC News,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The incident may have started as a fight inside a local McDonald’s restaurant, which then spilled out onto the street, according to a police source.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2025
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But that message was undermined by his company’s fight against TVC.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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