affrays
Noisy public scuffles
Affrays are public fights or brawls that disturb the peace.
The word is primarily legal, describing violent confrontations in public spaces: The two men were charged with affray after their argument turned physical.
Outside courtrooms the singular affray sounds formal or old-fashioned: a drunken affray outside the pub.
Disorderly group fight
- meleeDisordered group skirmish
- scuffleBrief disorderly struggle
- fracasNoisy disorderly fight
- fightPhysical or verbal conflict
altercation · skirmish · punch-up · disturbance · clash · tussle · riot · fistfight
Cost or accusation
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- public orderSocietal calm and lawfulness
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- arrestSeize by law
defendant · magistrate · conviction · fine · assault · battery · breach · misdemeanor
Urgent warning signal
- frightSudden intense fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- startleFrighten suddenly
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
dread · fear · scare · panic · consternation · trepidation · apprehension · perturbation
brawl
Disorderly group fight
fight · altercation · skirmish · punch-up · disturbance · clash · tussle · riot · fistfight · donnybrook
charge
Cost or accusation
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- public orderSocietal calm and lawfulness
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
arrest · defendant · magistrate · conviction · fine · assault · battery · breach · misdemeanor · statute
alarm
Urgent warning signal
dismay · dread · fear · scare · panic · consternation · trepidation · apprehension · perturbation · agitation
affrayspeace
Freedom from disturbance
tranquility · calm · order · public order · civil order
affraysreconciliations
Restorations of friendly relations
truces · accords · harmonies · agreements · conciliations