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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of fracas
Amid the recent fracas about drag performance as a threat to the social fabric, historians remind us that the practice of cross-gender performance on the stage goes back to the earliest days of theater in ancient Greece.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Jan. 2024
The situation intensified when Thompson grabbed Herro’s jersey and threw him to the ground, leading to multiple players and coaches — including Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who had to be restrained — rushing onto the court as a fracas ensued.
—Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
As Charania notes, Nurkic hit Marshall in the head, Marshall escalated the fracas by punching Nurkic, and Washington was seen to have added fuel to the fire.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
Sri Lanka, which co-hosted last year's Asia Cup after a similar fracas between India and Pakistan, was a strong contender while it is learned that South Africa and Zimbabwe tried to sway Pakistan authorities.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fracas 
Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Jan. 2024
The situation intensified when Thompson grabbed Herro’s jersey and threw him to the ground, leading to multiple players and coaches — including Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who had to be restrained — rushing onto the court as a fracas ensued.
—Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
As Charania notes, Nurkic hit Marshall in the head, Marshall escalated the fracas by punching Nurkic, and Washington was seen to have added fuel to the fire.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
Sri Lanka, which co-hosted last year's Asia Cup after a similar fracas between India and Pakistan, was a strong contender while it is learned that South Africa and Zimbabwe tried to sway Pakistan authorities.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fracas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
Noun
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Navigating the map from an overworld view, akin to looking at a tabletop game from above, leads to quicker, bite-sized skirmishes, optional short objectives, and requests from characters that build up your bonds.—
Diego Argüello,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2025
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There’s usually not even time for trash talk between opponents; that has to wait for the inevitable post-whistle skirmish.—
Mark Lazerus,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
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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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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Video shown in court in November showed a group of men, two of whom officials identified as Rocky and Ephron, involved in a verbal altercation, according to The Associated Press.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
19 Jan. 2025
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Zarka was accused of fatally stabbing Garrity to death after the two engaged in a physical altercation.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Rose served in the band from its inception in 1977 to 2017, after Willis regained 50 percent of the copyright to the band in a protracted legal battle.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
20 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, more borrower-friendly regulations for the Borrower Defense to Repayment program remain stuck in a legal battle.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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The Rancho Santa Fe School District is leading an effort to support members of the Los Angeles community impacted by the devastating wildfires, and the local heroes from Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District who have been deployed to help in the fight.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In a hypothetical military dustup between the two members of NATO, Denmark could invoke the alliance’s sacred mutual-defense clause against the U.S. Article 5 states that an attack on one is an attack on all.—
Anna Mulrine Grobe,
The Christian Science Monitor,
15 Jan. 2025
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Hilaria was annoyed by his many dustups with the press and tried to make peace.—
Reeves Wiedeman,
Vulture,
12 July 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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