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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of brawl
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Everyone on the ice got into a full-on brawl at that point, with Gadjovich and Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse going at it for a lengthy fight with multiple big punches blown before both of them and three other players were sent off with misconducts.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
The two continued brawling down the block on Baychester Ave., where the victim pulled out a knife and the suspect opened fire, a police source said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawl
Noun
Sophie Cunningham just became one of the most popular players in the WNBA last night, after getting into a brawl at the end of the Fever's game against the Sun, which has caused her jersey sales to skyrocket.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Everyone on the ice got into a full-on brawl at that point, with Gadjovich and Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse going at it for a lengthy fight with multiple big punches blown before both of them and three other players were sent off with misconducts.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Verb
The scene at Pop Mart stores can also be chaotic, as some TikTok users have posted videos depicting customers brawling and yelling at one another over the viral toys.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
The two continued brawling down the block on Baychester Ave., where the victim pulled out a knife and the suspect opened fire, a police source said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawl
Noun
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Steve Garcia When the betting odds were first published for the Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia featherweight clash, Garcia was listed as a -140 betting favorite over the +115 Kattar.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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President Donald Trump broke his silence one day after reports of a clash between U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino about the release of a memo regarding Jeffrey Epstein, which prompted conservatives on social media to call for the president to fire her.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Noun
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Back in May, former Washington Commanders running back Adrian Peterson went viral for his involvement in a physical altercation at a poker game in Houston, Texas.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
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The altercation could be setting the stage for an official showdown between Jelly and Paul at this year’s SummerSlam, scheduled for Aug. 2–3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Watch Jelly Roll face off with Logan Paul at WWE SmackDown in the clip below.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
13 July 2025
Noun
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But the loudest roar — aside the one for the record strikeout — came when Kershaw bounded out of the dugout to start the sixth.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
-
The rush of wind and thrum of tire roar was punctuated, not by engine revs and tailpipe cackles, but by birdsong.—
Alistair Charlton,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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As officials bickered over who had the right to investigate, the crime scene was overrun by gawkers who pocketed souvenirs and tampered with crucial evidence — including an unknown man’s handkerchief, a pair of glasses and the gun used in the murder.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
27 June 2025
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Trump withdrew his nomination of Isaacman as the president bickered with Musk in the waning days of the billionaire's formal involvement with the White House.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Fox said Ogletree, 36, was protecting others who were involved in the melee.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
Another teen girl was stabbed, her lung punctured, during the melee.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
Noun
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Threads on the South Park subreddit and social media have lit up with foul-mouthed complaints from international fans, most of them directed at Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media, whose $8 billion buyout of Paramount is at the heart of the South Park dispute.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
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But there are still some sour grapes about the big tactical dispute in February.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Some commercial leaf blowers are even louder, generating 115 decibels of noise up close and 100 decibels at 50 feet.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 July 2025
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The establishment, El Cielo Bar at 1226 W. Lincoln Ave., was effectively shuttered in November by the Milwaukee Common Council after complaints of noise, fights and gunshots.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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The team is also fighting injuries within the starting rotation.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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Five engines, two trucks, one squad, three ambulances, and three battalion chiefs assisted in fighting the fire.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawl. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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