brawl 1 of 2

noun

Definition of brawlnext
1
as in clash
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people they were thrown out of the party after starting a brawl

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2
as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the student drama society's decision to put on the controversial play prompted a brawl at the school board meeting

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3
as in roar
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound we could hear the brawl of the river rapids ahead of us before we could actually see them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

brawl

2 of 2

verb

ˈbrȯl How to pronounce brawl (audio)
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily the Wilsons were always loudly brawling, and the neighbors were always shutting their windows

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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 brawl
Noun
These days, oversight hearings have degenerated into partisan brawls. — David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026 Mundy pointed out action scenes in previous episodes provided plenty of pyrotechnics, including a climactic brawl between Hal and John in Episode 5. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
Well, maybe everyone except for the fans escorted out of the right-field bleachers after brawling, another clip that went viral on social media. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Massive fights erupted at the Wisconsin State Fair during its chaotic closing hours Sunday, with viral video showing people in crowds throwing punches and brawling as police moved in to break up the mayhem. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawl
  1. clash
  2. altercation
  3. roar
  4. bicker
  5. melee
  6. dispute
  7. noise
  8. fight
Noun
  • By Saturday, demonstrations over rising living costs, school conditions and declining public services had escalated into clashes with police, fires, looting and attacks on public buildings in several cities.
    — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The decades-old rivalry has favored United in the last seven meetings at Elland Road, but Leeds head into Sunday's clash in strong form, with two wins and three draws placing them 7th on the table.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • The airline confirmed the flight from LAX landed at JFK ahead of schedule with no additional impacts, at which time law enforcement responded to reports of the altercation.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In 2023, Greenlaw was ejected following a sideline altercation with Philadelphia Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro during another incident along the opponent's sideline.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of altercation
Noun
  • Maybe the Dodger fans, who showed striking apathy in the playoffs, will return to their post-dynasty roars because of this.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • After co-headlining with Charli xcx at the peak of Brat Summer, Sivan was struck by his post-show emotional crash, when the roar of stadiums gave way to the quiet of being totally on his own.
    — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of roar
Verb
  • The two of them together, just 17 months apart, shared playlists, bickered over where to stop during Apple CarPlay calls, pulled up beside me and faded away with silly faces, encapsulating 20 years of my life in my rearview mirror.
    — Robert Duffer, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Like law enforcement agents everywhere, they’re disposed to bickering about jurisdiction or pumping each other for off-limits information.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of bicker
Noun
  • The fifth man had escaped during the melee; he was found dead of his injuries a half mile away.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The encampment, which included Jewish student participants, was attacked by counterprotesters in an overnight melee that spring.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of melee
Noun
  • Several other important artifacts of Mexica origin that have been part of repatriation disputes are also currently housed at the Weltmuseum.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The dispute emerged as a rare point of overt contention in last week’s bankruptcy hearing, which was dominated by the news that golfer Jon Rahm would be parting ways with the LIV Golf.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • Stewart and Addyman meanwhile surveyed more than 2,000 parents to identify noises their babies responded to, which included animal sounds and other children’s laughter (both of which feature in the song).
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • North Crowley continues impressive season Ahead of the season, North Crowley was expected to make some noise.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of noise
Verb
  • The rebels urged their forces to continue fighting and called on Tigrayans to support them.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • North Korean engineers have learned from time spent working in Russia’s massive Yelabuga drone factory, and North Korean forces fighting alongside Russia have gained firsthand experience in integrating drones into modern combat.
    — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of fight

Browse Nearby Words

bravura
brawl
brawled
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Cite this Entry

“Brawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawl. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brawl

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