fracas
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of fracas
First recorded in 1720–30; < French, from Italian fracasso, derivative of fracassare “to smash,” equivalent to fra- “completely” (from Latin infrā “among”) + cassare “to break”; cassation
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.
When the fracas became public, Gabbard decided to litigate it on X and go personal on the whistleblower, inadvertently telegraphing her weak position.
From Salon • Mar. 5, 2026
On the night of the attempted insurrection, the BBC spoke to an elderly man who was watching the fracas from afar.
From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026
The fracas is far from over, as Greenland and other geopolitical risks remain elevated.
From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026
The fracas above ground is raising questions about how the Permian can sustain red-hot production without causing widespread environmental damage that could leave taxpayers on the hook—and complicate the region’s economic plans.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025
There was a whole fracas going on up the block.
From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
