fracas

noun

ˈfrā-kəs How to pronounce fracas (audio)
Definition of fracasnext
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

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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 Logano and Larson will be on the front row Sunday, while Christopher Bell and Carson Hocevar — fresh off a pit-lane fracas with Ryan Blaney — will be behind them. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026 From here, a fracas of colors, textures, and patterns permeates every last corner of this 57-room hotel. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026 Three of the six people injured in the top-floor fracas were police officers, according to Sgt. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 The fracas in the video, of course, is a distraction from the music that’s playing in the background, ostensibly a song from the record, which is notable since the announcement didn’t come with a track list or a single. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fracas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fracas
  1. skirmish
  2. brawl
  3. clash
  4. altercation
  5. battle
  6. fight
  7. scuffle
  8. dustup
Noun
  • Interior Secretary Harold Ickes ended the skirmish by imposing a truce and persuading Congress to designate the dam as a federal project.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • And then late in the second half, Miami was called for two 15-yard penalties following a punt with Bobby Pruitt called for a facemask and Keona Davis a personal foul that occurred during a skirmish after the play.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • Valkyria got back into the match fairly quickly and the brawl was on.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The brawl was captured on cellphone video and shared among neighbors.
    — Amy Corral, CBS News, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of brawl
Noun
  • But any Republican looking for the nomination to succeed Trump will have to sidestep the same sort of internal clashes over Israel that have bedeviled Democrats.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In Spain, the unrest was largely concentrated in Barcelona, unlike France, where protests and clashes spread across multiple cities.
    — Amanda Macias, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • Several callers reported that multiple individuals were involved in the altercation as well as a possible weapon.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The police chief told reporters the shooting likely stemmed from an altercation between two to three individuals and that the department’s Violent Crimes Unit would lead the ongoing investigation.
    — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of altercation
Noun
  • The leader, facing a tough re-election battle, has focused much of his campaign ahead of Tuesday’s vote on security.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
  • By focusing on the battles fought in luxury department stores, fashion shows, high-end spas, nail salons, and the home, the film illustrated just how limited even privileged women’s options were.
    — Raymond Ang, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • The film follows Jiwa, a father who sacrifices everything in a fight to save Juna, his son, who has blood cancer.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The confrontation escalated into a fight that left both tourists injured.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • Pacers coach Rick Carlisle noted that Indiana has now played two games that have resulted in multiple scuffles.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Video taken from inside a vehicle captured some of the scuffle, including the attacker getting up, striking Batista in the head with the butt of a pistol and taking off as the victim lies motionless in the street.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of scuffle
Noun
  • That dustup is typically followed by a defense in Puck’s media newsletter, the reflexively anti-rank-and-file outlet where some media bosses and spokespeople go to air grievances about their unruly staff.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • After the dustups, the offense went from taking blows from the defense to delivering some of its own.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Definition of dustup

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Cite this Entry

“Fracas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracas. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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