Fracas / noun / fra·cas

A fracas is an event or confrontation that is abruptly and vehemently disorderly, expressive and loud. It can refer to a fight, a row, or any unexpected disturbance involving loud fighting and aggression by two opposing parties. In short, a fracas is a clash of people, ideas, or circumstances that can lead to a skirmish, struggle, or scuffle.

In a Sentence

The capitol police set up a barrier outside the White House to thwart a fracas breaking out; both political party opponents were threatening that.

The man was unexpectedly caught up in a fracas when he visited a seedy bar on the wrong side of town late at night after working his shift at the warehouse.

The high school team got into a huge fracas when the opposing team cheated to win the big game.

Etymology

The word fracas comes from the late Latin word fricāre, meaning to rub. The suffix –acce was added to describe the resulting action or state. English speakers adopted the word fracas into our language in the early 1700s. We have been using it since 1716 to describe any sudden outbreak of noisy fighting and aggression.

Synonym

Skirmish, Scuffle

Antonym

Peace, Tranquility