Fracas: meaning, definitions and examples

A fracas is usually a noisy and chaotic fight or argument involving multiple people. It's often used in formal contexts or news reports.

• The fracas outside the stadium resulted in several arrests.
• There was a fracas in the parliament over the new policy.

A brawl refers to a rough or noisy fight, generally involving several people, often in a public setting like a bar. It has a more physical and violent connotation.

• The bar brawl left several people injured.
• A brawl broke out among the hockey players.

A scuffle is a short, confused fight or struggle at close quarters. It usually suggests a less serious or aggressive altercation compared to a brawl.

• There was a minor scuffle between fans at the concert.
• Security quickly broke up the scuffle in the mall.

An altercation is a noisy argument or disagreement, typically between two people and often in a public place. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• They had a brief altercation in the grocery store.
• The altercation between the neighbors was over boundary lines.

A melee is a chaotic, confused fight involving many people. It’s a term often used in historical or formal contexts to describe disorganized combat.

• The melee during the protest was difficult to control.
• Soldiers found themselves in a fierce melee on the battlefield.

A ruckus is a noisy disturbance or commotion, not necessarily involving physical fighting. It is less severe and often used in informal contexts.

• The children caused a ruckus in the classroom.
• There was a ruckus over the new changes in the office policies.