Synonyms for

Melee

Verb / ˈmeɪˌleɪ / Another word for melee — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a confused fight or battle involving many people

Synonyms & similar words

battleroyal scrimmage brawl fracas scuffle tussle altercation clash conflict fight skirmish free-for-all battle combat struggle melee ruckus donnybrook dust-up row riot uproar

Synonyms by register

Formal

affray fray scuffle brawl

Informal

rumble dust-up fracas tussle brawl

Literary

maelstrom tumult broil

Antonyms

truce peace harmony calm order accord nonaggression

Common collocations

  • a fierce melee
  • a confused melee
  • a deadly melee
  • the melee erupted
  • caught in the melee
  • emerged from the melee
  • a street melee

Word family

noun melee
verb melee

Usage note

A melee is a confused fight or scuffle, often involving many people. It is typically used to describe a chaotic physical confrontation.

Example sentences

  1. The playground turned into a melee when the kids started fighting.
  2. The protesters got into a melee with the police.
  3. The football game ended in a melee when the fans started fighting.
  4. The bar fight turned into a melee when more people joined in.
  5. The soldiers got into a melee with the enemy.

Quotes

  • The melee is a way of life in the Third World, and it is the Western man who is the aberration. - P. J. O'Rourke
  • I'm not trying to be sexy. It's just my way of expressing myself when I move around. - Elvis Presley
  • I don't like to get into a melee or anything, but I do like to get into it. - Joe Rogan

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