brawl

8 synonyms for brawl, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A rough, disorderly fight or argument, usually involving several people.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

rumble bash

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

scuffle melee fracas free-for-all wrangle

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A rough, disorderly fight or argument, usually involving several people.

“A brawl broke out in the parking lot after the game.”

scuffle melee fracas free-for-all rumble bash do

2. verb

To take part in a rowdy fight or noisy quarrel.

“The two rival fans started brawling on the sidewalk.”

wrangle

How to use brawl

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

bar brawl mass brawl brawl broke out

Etymology

From late Middle English braulen ("to clamour or quarrel"), likely related to bray and originally imitative of a loud, harsh noise.

Full origin of brawl →

Frequently asked questions

What does “brawl” mean?

The word “brawl” means a rough, disorderly fight or argument, usually involving several people. In plain terms, a messy, chaotic fight — more disorganized shoving and shouting than a proper duel.

How do you pronounce “brawl”?

“Brawl” is pronounced brawl (/bɹɔːl/ in IPA).

How do you use “brawl” in a sentence?

Here is “brawl” used in a sentence: “A brawl broke out in the parking lot after the game.”

What part of speech is “brawl”?

Depending on how it is used, “brawl” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “brawl” come from?

The word “brawl” comes from Middle English. From late Middle English braulen ("to clamour or quarrel"), likely related to bray and originally imitative of a loud, harsh noise.

Is “brawl” a common word?

“Brawl” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “brawl” have?

“Brawl” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rough, disorderly fight or argument, usually involving several people.

What is the difference between a brawl and a fight?

A brawl is specifically a rough, disorderly fight or argument that usually involves several people, while "fight" is a more general term that can describe a conflict between just two people. Brawls imply chaos and multiple participants.

What is the difference between a brawl and a riot?

A brawl is a disorderly fight typically involving a limited group of people in one location, while a riot is a larger-scale, often violent public disturbance involving a crowd. A brawl is smaller and more contained than a riot.

Can "brawl" be used as a verb?

Yes, "brawl" can function as a verb meaning to take part in a rowdy fight or noisy quarrel, as in "the two men brawled outside the bar."

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do bash rumble melee scuffle wrangle fracas

Nearby words

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