1
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
a dozen people were arrested after the donnybrook at the stadium
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the kind of hot-button issue that inevitably creates a donnybrook in the halls of the statehouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of donnybrook
The donnybrook between Disney and Ron DeSantis keeps escalating, and what should be a dispute over corporate welfare has devolved into an unfortunate political brawl that both could lose.
—
The Editorial Board, wsj.com, 27 Apr. 2023
There were, however, the makings of a donnybrook.
—Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022
Both guys are going to come out swinging and tire themselves out, but Danny’s going to bring it early and often to make Errol prove he’s fully recovered in a donnybrook.
—Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2020
The unequal three-way donnybrook — film critics on one side, the vox populi and aggrieved artists on the other — is a digital-era twist on a perennial Hollywood story.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
The Editorial Board, wsj.com, 27 Apr. 2023
There were, however, the makings of a donnybrook.
—Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022
Both guys are going to come out swinging and tire themselves out, but Danny’s going to bring it early and often to make Errol prove he’s fully recovered in a donnybrook.
—Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2020
The unequal three-way donnybrook — film critics on one side, the vox populi and aggrieved artists on the other — is a digital-era twist on a perennial Hollywood story.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for donnybrook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donnybrook
Noun
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Impressive set-pieces are sprinkled throughout, from a rip-roaring car chase to open the film and a later brawl between Irene and a pair of shady mechanics (Michael Manuel and Taylor Misiak).—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
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At the conclusion of the Jayhawks’ 4-3 win, the teams got into a huge on-ice brawl.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The 18-year-old’s boyfriend was seen in the footage attempting to stop the altercation.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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The sole witness to the altercation was the car’s driver, who testified at the trial through an Urdu language translator.—
Rebecca Keegan,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Duke won 76-65 on the road in Louisville in the only regular-season clash between these teams.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Read more: • Schumer clashes with liberal colleagues over House GOP funding bill.—
Jonathan Easley,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The White House is trying to have it every way possible in a high-stakes dispute over its speedy deportation of hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
17 Mar. 2025
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The dispute came after President Donald Trump invoked a centuries-old law that would give him the ability to deport any noncitizen with little to no due process.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The quarrel swiftly escalated when Perez allegedly struck her twice on the left side of her temple and pulled her hair.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2025
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As the quarrel over seating escalated, the attacker, who was wearing a black face mask, slashed the victim on his left hand with an unknown weapon.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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No controversies, no real debates over it being overrated.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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The estate, at the edge of Chico State’s campus, served as a cultural touchstone and educational space for generations of Chico residents, but not without controversy.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacramento Bee,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Daylight saving time isn’t going away anytime soon While all but two states in the U.S. continue to observe daylight saving time, there is still disagreement about whether the practice should be eliminated or made permanent.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
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Murkowski, who has long been critical of Trump and often expressed disagreement with the president, has previously sounded the alarm about some of DOGE's actions.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Gibson notably was seen just this weekend alongside FBI Director Kash Patel attending a UFC fight in Las Vegas.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2025
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One of the mysteries of the UFC’s 2025 fight calendar has centered around Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Donnybrook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donnybrook. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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