Synonyms of melee

melee

noun

ˈmā-ˌlā 

as in brawl

a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people

a verbal disagreement at the football game soon turned into a general melee involving scores of spectators

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brawl
• altercation
• clash
• skirmish
• affray
• fracas
• rough-and-tumble
• ruckus
• row
• fray
• broil
• scuffle
• ruction
• free-for-all
• fisticuffs
• combat
• donnybrook
• tussle
• battle
• scrimmage
• quarrel
• horseplay
• conflict
• argument
• dispute
• spat
• contest
• struggle
• tiff
• squabble
• roughhousing
• scrap
• wrangle
• handgrips
• hassle
• kickup

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of melee

Suddenly, the house that has spent years revolving around school schedules, lunchboxes, sports equipment, family dinners, and the general melee of raising kids is quiet—and, very possibly, packed to the brim with stuff. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026

Swirling around them was a melee of cameras, celebrations and commiserations. — Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Infantry has been around since officers figured out how to get soldiers organized instead of fighting in melees like football hooligans on a Saturday night after 12 pints of lager. — New Atlas, 13 Sep. 2026

Hermès positions itself above the melee, as a guardian of tasteful continuity. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

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