fracas

noun

fra·​cas ˈfrā-kəs  ˈfra- 

British

ˈfra-ˌkä 

plural fracases ˈfrā-kə-səz 

ˈfra-

or British fracas ˈfra-ˌkäz 

: a noisy quarrel : brawl

a drunken fracas

Synonyms of fracas

• skirmish
• clash
• battle
• fight
• scuffle
• dustup

Examples of fracas in a Sentence

the police broke up the fracas in the bar and threw both combatants in the lockup

police preparing for any fracas that might follow the soccer game

Recent Examples on the Web

Readers will likely remember the fracas surrounding Patty García’s ascendency to the Democratic nomination, effectively a coronation. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

The fracas has only elevated the film’s profile, with every tweet that Musk has fired off igniting a new wave of coverage. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026

The political fracas reflects the toll that large-scale outbreaks have had on the public psyche. — Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

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

Word History

Etymology

French, din, row, from Italian fracasso, from fracassare to shatter

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fracas

noun

fra·​cas ˈfrā-kəs  ˈfrak-əs 

: a noisy quarrel or fight