Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

brawling

ADJECTIVE
boisterous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clamorous loud rambunctious raucous riotous rollicking rowdy strident unruly uproarious vociferous
STRONG
tumultuous
WEAK
bouncy disorderly effervescent impetuous obstreperous unrestrained vociferant wild
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm low moderate quiet soft solemn subdued
WEAK
restrained silent
ADJECTIVE
fighting
Synonyms
STRONG
battling belligerent boxing contending determined fencing hostile jousting martial militant skirmishing sparring tilting warmongering wrestling
WEAK
angry argumentative bellicose combative contentious disputatious disputative ferocious hawkish jingoistic militaristic pugnacious quarrelsome ready to fight resolute scrappy truculent unbeatable under arms up in arms
Antonyms
STRONG
kind nice peaceful
WEAK
peaceloving
ADJECTIVE
pugnacious
Synonyms
WEAK
aggressive antagonistic argumentative bellicose cantankerous chip on shoulder choleric combative contentious defiant disputatious have a bone to pick hot-tempered irascible irritable itching to fight militant petulant pushing pushy quarrelsome ready to fight rebellious salty scrappy self-assertive truculent warlike
Antonyms
WEAK
easygoing kind laid-back nice
ADJECTIVE
quarrelsome
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belligerent cantankerous combative contentious fractious litigious petulant tempestuous turbulent unruly
WEAK
argumentative bad-tempered bellicose cat-and-dog choleric churlish crabby cross disputatious dissentious excitable fiery gladiatorial hasty have chip on shoulder hotheaded huffy impassioned irascible irritable ornery passionate peevish pettish pugnacious querulous ructious snappy thin-skinned touchy truculent violent war
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable calm good-natured happy mild moderate nice obedient pleasant
WEAK
forgiving friendly patient
NOUN
fighting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bloodshed combat conflict dispute exchange hostility melee riot scuffle strife struggle war warfare
STRONG
argument beef blowup bout brush contention flap fracas free-for-all go hassle joust match mix rough-and-tumble roughhouse row rowdy rumble rumpus run-in scramble scrap scrimmage set-to spat tiff words wrangle
WEAK
battle royal brannigan donnybrook hell broke loose punch out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accord agreement calm harmony peace
WEAK
ceasefire surrender

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Curran’s brawling with headquarters for more protection at that time was noted and appreciated by Trump.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

The differences spilled into the spotlight over the weekend when lawmakers were caught brawling in parliament over proposed reforms.

From BBC • May 20, 2024

Copyright Act, to reclaim the rights for his 1986 screenplay, “Roadhouse,” which spawned the original movie and this year’s reboot, in which Gyllenhaal portrays an ex-UFC fighter who struggles to leave his brawling days behind.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2024

He’s a fairly even-keeled, calm-sounding guy, which makes him a helpful spokesperson to an organization that has big bearded dudes going out fighting and brawling.

From Slate • Sep. 13, 2023

Even if he’d had the courage to get into a fight with a Squaller, it would be like brawling with an expensive vase.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo